playground prime

A stage sprawls below the whistling leaves 

of dry oak’s motherly shelter,

filtering fresh flowers 

and weathered weeds 

from inoculated soils.

By the sea of wood chipping away,

softening lands

of sticky skinned knees 

under supple denims.

In the elated stretching to 

the red, yellow, blue

I hung clutching and sliding 

between bars, ropes, swings.

Sticks and stones 

held by my bones, 

reaching to primary pillars

with simple simpers,

a hop-scotch

along a three-toned

wheel of words.

Sneakers sway,

a succumbing freight,

with fraying heels

wishing for delays. 

Cementing palms 

tell trophies of time,

gold stars gleam

well after calluses calm.

Looking through laddered bars

above pendulous principal pines

at blank blue beginnings,

skies stretching farther than 

my straining sight could know.

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