Playground

Poem (audio)

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"Calamity" Floyd, unemployed,

wishes to slide and fall down softly,

just like during the old playground days.

Now, he's sloping down to rock bottom.

Bryant, law student,

loved the monkey bars—

but now has a short reach

and though he tries, can't pass the Bar.

Polly, city politician,

amused herself on the teeter-totter.

Nowadays, she still goes back and forth,

unfortunately, on pertinent public issues.

Tom and Jane, married,

used to face off in tug-of-war over the sandbox.

Now it's a battle over the money pit

and custody of little Sandy.

Roger, soldier,

played crossfire with his buddies—

but now he's in unfriendly territory,

dodging swift, stray bullets.

"Heather", from the teen hotline

liked to tether the ball around the pole—

but now threatens to tie

her neck with a rope.

Me, writer,

loved to swing all day carelessly.

Now, goes back and fro too headily

on matters of the heart.

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