The Rules by Fran Hutchinson

Airplane taking off at sunset

smiling, smiling
when at last we meet again, hello

smiling,smiling
juggle time again
goodbye, too fast
and then you go

but well enough i knew the rules
and still i was fool enough to start

so it’s smiling, smiling when we meet
and smiling
slightly faded
when we part

Photo: satit_srihin / 123RF Stock Photo

About the author: Fran Hutchinson

Fran HutchinsonCurrently a resident of New Bedford, MA, Fran Hutchinson experienced a “poetic incarnation” while embedded in the 80’s folk scene in Boston.  Occupied variously as live calendar producer for WGBH’s Folk Heritage, contributing editor at the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston’s monthly Folk Letter, artist manager and booking agent, and occasional concert producer, she was surrounded by exceptional music and musicians, including those she had long listened to and admired.  The result was a rich source of inspiration for verse, of which she took full advantage. No longer writing poetry, Fran has recently been the recipient of a surgically altered back and two new knees, and spends her time reading and listening to music (natch), texting and emailing long-distance friends,  and hanging with her posse at the Community center.