Simple Pleasures

Simple Pleasures © Ben Burton 4-7-2015 Remember when In the heat of summer Daddy would come home And bark the delightful order "Put on your bathing suits" While he hooked up the hose pipe To the front yard spigot Streaking into your bedroom Getting naked, giggling, nervous Stumbling all about the hardwood Trying to get your foot Into the leg hole Laughing at your ineptitude Then, finally, wising up Sitting on the bed To finish the job From outside, a yell "Better get a move on We don't have all day" A rush of excitement Running to the front door and Stopping to gaze At the coiled, green serpent Spraying goose-bumps water That you dread And want as bad as anything Slowly, descending the steps Eyes locked on the hose-slinger Who seems not to notice As he mist-sprays a shrub Then darting, defiantly, across the lawn And coming to a halt Bone dry, but for a few beads of sweat "I'm too fast for you, Daddy" Silence from the weapon wielder Seemingly oblivious to your presence Another sprint, a sudden turn The full force of a blast to your torso Evoking a scream Of agony and exhilaration Lasting but twenty minutes Of a July afternoon Yet, creating An irrevocable childhood memory Life's simple pleasures Still the best