FREE VERSE..............
Elizabeth Fanto, US
 

 

Playground

As children, we two wandered
through the nearby forest
and learned its many ways

The twin beechnut trees
became pirate ships at sail
from which we could spy the land

We wandered into deep woods,
straddled huge fallen trees:
horses we rode on adventures

We found Spring’s treasures—
dogtooth violets, red and white trillium,
lady slippers, Jack-in-the-pulpits

Small streams, icy cold all year,
alive with minnows and crawfish,
cooled us on hot summer days

We savored wild strawberries,
blackberries, beechnuts,
the sweet juice of thistles

At dinnertime, we returned home,
our imaginations still bubbling—
we didn’t know how lucky we were.

 

return to top of page

 

 

*