Imagination

After Kindy
little kids
wait with mums
at the big kids’ school:

Chat-time,
there and back time;
big-tree shade,
dust and long leaves,
water in cages – 
shiny bubblers,
hot black play-ground,
bench-seats
low down.

Liz is back and sobbing, 
Mum says, ‘What’s the matter?
Wipe the tears.
Blow the nose.’

‘I can’t hold water,’ Lizzie cries.
‘We’re making mud,’ says Bella.

‘Oh,’ says Lizzie’s Mum. 
‘Oh,’ says Bella’s Mum.
The mums frown.

‘You have to put water
in your mouth,’ says Liz.
‘And spit it, 
on the dirt,’ says Bella.

‘Oh,’ say the mums.

Mums don’t make magic
in play-ground dust.
Kids do.

Drips of water
from their mouths:
dust kicking
water strings,
mixed up
with fingers 
into mud
with gumnut people
jumping in,
and leaf crocodiles 
snapping.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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January 16, 2024 at 12:58 AM
Oh my, beautiful Jeanette, this is such a heartwarming poem and brings back those memories from childhood when we used to create magic in muddy textures and all those shapes intrigued us.. Awwwn.. There's such an innocence in this poem and I deeply cherish its vibe, how wonderfully you've painted the scene of mums waiting for children and they arriving with their lil chattering of goofy thoughts haha.. Made me smile.. A lovely poem, sending you light & best wishes :)
Sharma  Avatar
January 17, 2024 at 12:01 AM
Oh, how lovely! :) you've captured it so beautifully..
Swan Avatar
January 16, 2024 at 1:12 AM
A true memory of my younger daughter when she was 4 and her little friend :)
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