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

[mm]

Great verse, my friend! I love the images your recollections paint.

[Kavita]

What a wonderfully refreshing poem, Julie!! And you know, I am soooooo happy that this potluck theme reminded you of your favorite childhood days, and made you feel this way....yaaaayyy!!!!!
I read the first line, and I was hooked to the poem thereafter!! It was such a delight to read!!
Thank YOU for sharing this with potluck, Julie...
(and here's a li'l secret.. I think I'm gonna try this myself.. hanging down from my knees, I mean ;-))

[kenny]

fantastic! fear fell from my pockets. It moves this peace, bitter,sweet.

[Victoria]

Just to let you know--although not poem of the week, I did highlight this on the potluck blog. It's so well written. Victoria

[Reflections]

Stunning piece, smiles of times when 'fear fell from my pockets'... powerful write. longing for moments true and truly inspired by all that drifted by in those moments hanging by my knees.