Kickball

I slide across home plate,

Carefree and escatic 

Not thinking or caring

About the ugly bruises and scrapes

That will follow next morning

My foot still stings

From the violent impact of the ball.

My teammates serenade me with cheer

And high-fives aplenty

But I ignore it all

And just wait for my next turn up to the plate.

Today, I never play kickball

But I am always playing it

I play it during summer

When I have no school, no worries

I play it when I swim,

Nothing but the taste of chlorine on my tongue

And the burn of my muscles

As I urge myself to go faster and faster

I play it whenever I am happy and carefree.

This Is Just To Say

This is just to say

I'm sorry I kidnapped

Your dog

I'm sure you loved

That pet

Forgive me

I thought he would

make an excellent rug-

And I was sure right