Asphalt Athletics

We played sports on asphalt fields drains and sewer lids for bases Billy’s house the right field line Tommy’s porch a short left field. We diagramed football plays bottle caps, fractured marbles, Mikey’s favorite button. The ball was scuffed bladder worn sticking out where it was torn. The jump rope slapped sidewalk cracks sneakers tapped the beat “Double Dutch” amazingly twin passing ropes a double feat. Baseball cards trilled old bike spokes roller skates click-clacking by racing as street lights curfew silenced the hum of play returned the quiet of the night to those who’d worked all day. John G. Lawless ©2/10/2019