heat on the trampoline
higher bounce higher
grins wide
eyes of cracked blue
eyes of thready black
hands hold slip hold slip
up
up
UPP
land wrong foot footfoot collisions laugh sloppy stops
one: wrong-step-up-fall-over
the other one: try-to-walk-stretched-rubberuprubberdown-fall-over
both: roll over on backs skooch away some
one: pulls shorts hem a bit; better; adjust
both: settle in
both: shield eyes from glare
the direct sun puts yellow glow worms around the treetops
one: turns a cap brim
the other one: puts an arm over eyes
both: peek at each other
sun puts red lightning neon between fingers eyes adjust just so
both: knees up
both: breathe out
one: looks down at new breasts
the other one: looks at clouds
the glare retreats so long as the arm is like this the cap angle precise
disorder in the white overhead
crushed ecstatic lace in the too blue
"I'm sorry about what I said on Facebook" one says
the other swallows
too hot on the trampoline too hot is nice when the hose is nearby
"I know" the other one says
and rolls onto her side her whole face now in cap's shade
her squint disappears
one: turns her head stretches neck
looks through fingers across her smooth shoulder
cups her palm over brow
her eyes relax
they see each other
cracked blue
thready black
both: smile in fractions
the other one: rolls onto back again
both: return to the imperfect sky
"it's not my business" one says
both: knees lean in, one touches the other
still not falling into the bowl of rubber
but
their arms relax as weight is born now by knees pressed together
no collapse together no tangle
the heat
the white glare
the pressure on young knees
"besides, you don't know what I know" the other one says
inside the dented screen door Mother hears them laugh
says "gazpacho, fried banana sandwiches and limeade
in 5 minutes"
a cardinal drops to leaf litter under trees at the end of the yard
the moon is a pale erasure in the late summer sky
a phoebe pleads with two notes
in the cool of the kitchen the slap and clatter
spoons on plates
one: drops her arm face in the sun arms straight at sides
fingers brush light along her bare legs
squinches her eyes tight
one says:
"besides, if we are just, just the accidental way, or how the whole universe can, like, know itself? see itself?"
-- cicadas buzz --
"I mean, good enough, right? "
the other says:
"either way I'll still love Jesus"
her eyes on the raveling cloud under her brim
small smiles
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Seer
daisyjane
The Good Daughter
Chicken Mãâàn
the traveler
Ashley F. Miller
Salon.com
Comments
A Friday morning gift!
what fun. what joy.
thank you.
the other one: looks at clouds "
This piece was a great capture and insight of young girls' minds as that one quote above says so well. I could see and feel this scene . Well, done. Very sensitive piece.
I don't know what Spring Fever has gotten into you, but I love it. Keep 'em coming.
__
Elisa: you just did. Thank you.
Matt: I made your bobble? Then my wok here is done. I will find a winged horse and ascend to the heavens ;)
Thank you for this exceptional comment. I feel honored.
anna: it was fun to write this with existential curtness. Thank you.
sophie: Thank you.
Owl! love that, a lake breeze. Last one in's buffle-headed duck (splash!) Thank you.
fingerlakes: Thank you, dear one. Be careful out there.
Philip: Thank you.
foolish: gosh! Thank you.
Nikki: all the best truths have muddy footprints on them. Thank you.
Dr, Spudman: what a great comment. I guess I have something to show for having three daughters. (my only other male in our house is our mutant shi-tzu, bear. But he's gay. He and I are pals, despite the wide gulf between us.) Thank you.
femme: Thank you.
aim! oh, don't be blue!
(wait a minute. I want my poetry to cause deep emotions. so go ahead, be blue!)
It is spring fever, smart cookie, you. Thank you.
Cap'n: Thank you.
scanner: It will be time to set up it up again soon. Thank you.
Sally! thank you, friend
Stim: why not? as we jump to the sky? thank you
Anne: I am glad you saw this. Though a nonbeliever I get it, I really do. thank you