Play
A little boy
bangs on a metal lamppost
with a bat, heralding
a cooler sunset.
A red rubber ball rolls
toward the street corner
and drops into the storm sewer.
The manhole cover
is too heavy to pry
and lift open.
and we can’t play stickball.
Streetlamps come on.
The game changes
from rounders to spud
with a volleyball.
Who’s “It?”
Run when the ball’s thrown high.
Freeze when it’s caught
and while it’s thrown at you.
I like that game.
Next is hide-and-seek.
“Allee-allee in-free!”
is a call at darkness.
More winners appear
from behind the garage,
hedges and porches,
garbage cans and cars.
Mothers call us home.
In bright electric houses
are homework and TV.
Parents:
“Get undressed.”
“Go take a bath.”
“Put on your pajamas.”
“Cut it out in here
and go to sleep.”