"Hopscotch and Cut Grass"

black tarmac alleyway

hopscotch days

a neighbourhood full

of broken tiles and bricks

and the constant temptation of chalk


constructing "houses" and dreams

from piles of cut grass

learning to be grateful for

"no hay fever"


a childhood - a lifetime -

of "forever and ever" friendships

that ultimately

would never

could never

did never

last