Dave Hoekstra has been a Chicago Sun-Times staff writer since 1985. He has contributed pieces to Chicago Magazine, the Chicago Reader and Playboy magazine. He has written books about the Farm Aid movement, travel and kick ass country music. His latest book is about minor league baseball in the Midwest.

He likes sunsets over cool waters.

To contact Dave please send email to: contact@davehoekstra.com


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1. Saturday on the Mobile River

   

   October 11, 2011—

   The heart hangs like a thick branch of a cypress tree

   over a wake in the narrow Mobile River.

   Looking at the water and the sky

   like the space between now and then.

   *

   Did you see the turkey vulture?

   Flying over the side of the freedom highway. Look!

   Maybe you were sleeping to a Mavis Staples lullaby

   as I drove off into another day.

   *

   My father always said to stay cool.

   He has the warmest of souls

   He now sleeps and rests a trembling arm

   And unforgiving legs that showed me the way.

   *

   Decency is the tributary into a sea of understanding.

   He taught me that when I was young.

   The Gulf breeze hits and I remember that kindness

   As golden leaves fall

   into

   the

   river.

   

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