Confessions of a Ressurected Memory

third grade elementary school play grounds

chicken patties, pigtails, and string bean populated poverty, full

of mean kids picking on red headed freckle faced skinny girls,

and boys wearing hand me down elastic waist jeans.

cheap M.E Moses running shoes with rubber sole noise,

letting everyone know they were coming to a screeching halt;

as they turned the corner and darted into the bathroom for escape.

smelling of poverty, cigarettes and booze- pockets full of roach legs and wings the

bullies living off the crumbs of the weak, king of the hill

attitudes whose own home life was full of thrashing beyond belief.

Spring of nineteen sixty eight a girl walked the halls, a

phenomenon who walked and punched like the boys, and

was to be reckoned with by her peers and the teachers.

pretty girls followed her across pavement to slam tether balls

so hard the neighborhood echoed with sounds of fist.

nothing stopped her; until the new girl showed up in class.

becoming more of a leader, weak kneed with a simple assignment to

guide and teach the ropes of policy and hallway path shortcuts.

the two were inseparable running across the cafeteria, out the double doors

for after lunch recess, and freedom to playfully chase down boys.

taking turns holding them down, especially one whose blue eyes and blond

hair stained their memories, maybe his; confusion held back true feelings as each

left cute boys with wet cheeks, smiles, and a longing for more.

E Stelling, 2010

Revisions:

Confession of a Resurrected Memory

third grade elementary school play grounds

chicken patties, pigtails, string bean populated poverty, full

of mean kids picking on red headed freckle faced skinny girls

boys in hand me down elastic waist jeans

cheap M.E Moses running shoes with rubber sole noise

coming to a screeching halt; turning corners, escape- darting into bathrooms

smelling of poverty, cigarettes and booze

pockets full of roach legs and wings.

bullies living off crumbs of the weak, king of the hill attitudes

home life full of thrashing beyond belief

Spring of nineteen sixty eight walking school halls

phenomenons who walk and punch like boys

reckoned with by peers; teachers

pretty girls follow her across pavement; slamming tether balls

neighborhood echos with sounds of fists

nothing stopped her; until a new girl shows up in class.

becoming more of a leader with an assignment to guide

teach ropes of policy; hallway paths, and smelly locker room rules

running across cafeteria mayhem

outside for after lunch recess freedom

playfully chasing down boys

leaving them with wet cheeks, smiles, and longing for more

that girl lost in nineteen sixty nine; parents moving her out of poverty

into a better life, so they thought

popularity left behind; opportunity to be an angel in Christmas plays

only the most talented are asked to participate

friends all but a faint memory in a harsher life, a snooty suburb

songs, her, Debra wrote on backyard swings

still echoes on passing breeze

touch of high five slapping; arms in the wings

poverty will always be-

a red headed freckle face girls saving grace...