Bitter-Sweet Memories

Most times, there was just the three of us Most times, we would escape without a fuss It was a 'Back of the Bus' kind of experience Actually, it was worse, because there was 'no Bus' It's like this: In my neck of the woods, there was a big PLAYGROUND, but one built just for 'Whites Only', and we were Black. It wasn't that we didn't know, nor that we couldn't read. It's just that we wanted to PLAY, and did not really care about anything else. We knew that if we were caught, the three of us would have to 'kick up dust', because someone would run us off. That PLAYGROUND was equipped with the strongest swings, merry-go-round, and sliding board. I tell you, kids were born to PLAY, and when that time came, and the coast was clear, fear of racism disappeared. In the minds and hearts of Dennis, Johnnie, and myself, the 'spirit of PLAY' appeared and we, like gangbusters, rushed to the great forbidden PLAYGROUND. Growing up in The South during the 50's was a bitter-sweet experience; but today, it's a little sour, but mostly a very sweet memory. 061321PSCtest, Playground, Shreya LN. 1P