Once upon a time, when childhood was
Innocence and fear passed quickly,
Each summer Little Tony, his mom, his dad,
And his three brothers and sisters squeezed
Into the ol’ Ford and went to see his daddy’s
Parents in Indiana. Grandaddy and Granmama
Lived way out in the country at the end of a
Dirt road in an ol’ log cabin in the woods.
Little Tony liked to go to Indiana. He liked
Cars, he liked seeing new places, and he
Liked visiting his daddy’s parents,.....
Except for one thing: the outhouse in the woods
On the Other Side of the hard-dirt back yard.

At first Little Tony was afraid he’d fall
Into the dark hole and drown and no one
Would know, or else he’d fall in, he’d never
Get clean, and he’d stink for the rest of
His life. He was only five, you know.
Once he figured out how to balance himself
On the front edge of the toilet seat and
Brace his hand against the wall, he felt better.
Mama said, “Sweetie,” as she cupped his
Little face in her hands, “Nothin’s goin’ to
Happen to you.” Dada, who’d cooked in the
Navy, said, “Be brave, Little Tony! Be brave!”

After a while Little Tony became
Confident that he could handle it, especially
When he really had to go. He’d just run
Across the yard, close the door, climb up on
The seat, brace himself, and let go. He thought,
“I could jus’ stand on the bench if all
I have to do is widdle, but that’s a lot of
Climbin’ and I might fall in liftin’ the seat.”
So Little Tony balanced himself on the seat,
Let go, wiped his little butt or his Willie,
Slammed the lid, and ran across the hard dirt-yard
From the Other Side back into the house.