Confession of a Resurrected Memory

1967. Third grade elementary school play grounds running off poverty pressed chicken patties feed to string bean pigtailed girls dodging mean kids; boys in hand me down elastic waist jeans, M. E. Moses running shoes with rubber sole noise- coming to screeching halt when turning corners into hall bathroom escape. Recess bells herd dirty smells of cigarettes and booze- pockets full of roach legs and wing bullies feeding off crumbs of the weak, king of the hill attitudes whose own life is full of thrashing beyond belief. Red haired freckle face girls walk the halls punching like boys- to be reckoned with by peers and teachers. Pretty girls follow across hot Texas tar slamming tether balls as neighborhoods echo from their fists. New student, new faces change attituds; softening leadership skills- guiding, teaching the ropes of policy and hallway paths. Two students become inseparable like twins from birth, laughing as they run across the cafeteria, out to recess freedom- chasing down boys, leaving them with wet cheeks, smiles, and a longing for more. Songs echo from swing set songs, innocent ideals, and fated purpose all to be more than what was.

© E Stelling, 2010

I also sent off three submissions to Alimentum Literary Magazines- Menupoems; it was hard to decide which three to send, but I had written two new ones, and sent one already sitting in the wings.