It's just poetry, it won't bite

When I Was Eleven


11.19.13 Posted in today's words by

Beth Konkoski debuts at vox poetica.

When I Was Eleven
By Beth Konkoski

Summer boredom hit
that first Tuesday,
the allotted hours between
meals and swims long as a circle
of rosary beads.
By evening we prowled the cage
of time until our parents
heaved us into the blackness
letting fireflies and street lights
guide us.
Find something to do.
In a few years they would
not turn us loose so easily,
wishing us back to nights
of safe summer boredom.
On banana seat bikes
we pedaled air, erect,
on balance, riding no hands
as we took the hill
full speed racing.
Indifferent to cars,
we reached for the black shuddery
promise of trees
holding hands above us.

 



2 Responses to “When I Was Eleven”

  1. Sheryl says:

    I can clearly remember such days… My banana bike was green… My parents had no idea where I was, either.

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