Soft Soil of Carteret Park - A Goal Poem for the Poetry Potluck

In January, I set this as a goal for my 49th year. This poetry prompt reminded me that it has been a month and I haven't, until today ~ done any significant prep work. Now, I am on it. Thank you, Poetry Potluck!

 

Soft Soil of Carteret Park

I want to hang from my knees
the way I did when I was little

Upside down, everything
looked felt smelled different

Fear fell from my pockets
and morphed with the pebbles

On the ground, the ones my
waist length braids swished

from side to side No one told
me to smile, anyway

Blushing went unnoticed as
I held on for longer and

longer and longer until
I felt satiated  ~ my knees

never tired like my face
I want to hang from my knees
 
the way I did when I was little
I can close my middle

aged eyes and feel, still
The middle school

Tension in my shoulders
leaked into the soft soil

of Carteret Park as I
eyed the far away to me

then baseball diamonds or
maybe, if it was Fall, the Band

marching along to Sousa or
on an experimental day it

was Sondheim, sending in
clowns other than the football team

I want to hang from my knees
the way I did when I was little

I want to be strong enough to
do a handstand off the bar

I want to be bold and wild and
wear my hair in braids again

hanging down, the opposite way
just because it feels

so darn good to
hang from my knees,

the way I did
when I was little

 
(and a PS for any former or current residents of Glen Ridge, NJ. I know the playground was gutted when radon was discovered, but in my mind's eye, the metal jungle gym is still where it was, there between the slide and the merry go round or was the merry go round next to the slide? Nonetheless, it is there. And I am there, too.)

 

Comments

[bendedspoon]

that must be fun especially seeing the smiles upside down!
:)

[PinkLady]

don't we all wish we could go back to that time when life was much simpler...

this is one trip down memory lane that i truly enjoyed. thanks for sharing your lovely poem with us. :)

http://pinklady-bing.blogspot.com/2011/02/dreaming-of-change.html

[Jingle]

I share this with you,

loved your courage in speaking out your mind.
Cheers.

A++

[David (1MereMortal)]

I easily related to some of the sentiments shared...I often feel that sense of nostalgia for those happier times.

A most enjoyable poem to read.

[Hema]

Very well expressed poem!

[pamela]

Upside down smiles love that Julie!

[Victoria]

This is wonderful--beautiful writing and sentiments.

[Sharp Little Pencil]

Julie, I appreciate that environmental nod. Nice to know your memories are sweet despite the misfortune of that circumstance.

Wow, this is a true ambition: To simply BE. To hang upside down and let the crap fall out of your pockets and land where it may... especially the metaphorical stuff that loads you down.

Loved it. I was late to the party, so here's mine:
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/making-it-home-jingle-poetry/

Peace and thanks, Amy Barlow Liberatore

[Shawn]

love the line 'fear fell from my pockets'. Really good image.
Here from the Monday Potluck- here's my contribution: http://shawnbird.com/2011/02/07/reclining-angels/

[fiveloaf]

great julie.. mines here- http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/broken-home/