After I powered my phone

I charged my lawnmower

and my leaf blower 

and my chainsaw

and worked in the yard 

and then

I powered my watch 

and I charged my toothbrush

and my hearing aids

and my e-bike

and went for a 

quiet ride

stopping just once to 

step past my neighbor’s 

invisible fence to

pet her dog.

Rob Reid is a senior lecturer emeritus from UW-Eau Claire and the author of 18 books on children’s literature and storytelling. He also has two verse picture books: Comin’ Down to Storytime and Wave Goodbye. If you let him, he’ll talk your ear off about the Ice Age Trail. For more by and about Rob, search for his name at VolumeOne.org.