lost

last night
     nearing dark
little boy lost
     without shoes or coat
cold out
     neighbors walking
calling out his name
     searching in vehicles
walking the neighborhood
     panicked great-grandmother
who had been watching him
     and his 4 sisters
"Is he hiding in the house?"
     "No, I looked"
police and emergency personnel called
     walking with flashlights
ambulance with flashing lights nearby...waiting
     vehicles driving the streets slowly
drivers looking and looking
     lots and lots of prayers
searching pastures and fields
     neighbors' playground sets
and backyards
     looking, looking, looking
more people joining in
     call from my husband
HE IS FOUND!
     drive home
drop off my friend who had called
     sigh...
***************************************
little boy had crawled into
     his great grandparents' bed
and was asleep
     giving thanks
what a wonderful neighborhood!