My Last Real Toy
When I was really small, I loved my trike,
and then I graduated to a bike.
I also liked to skip, so mother bought
A jump rope that I used an awful lot.
It seems I really loved to hop around,
to have my feet come off, then back on ground.
I got a pogo stick I used all year
and wore out quickly once I learned to steer!
At 15, I was not the same small kid,
for there were other fun things that I did.
However, I still liked some childish things
like Sting Ray bikes and trampolines and swings.
That year appeared in stores a brand new toy,
a grand delight for every girl and boy.
And though a woman I had now become,
that Christmas I just had to have me one!
This last “real” toy of mine I won’t forget
because it brought me also some regret.
A toy once you start, you can hardly stop:
Can you guess? It was the Hoppity Hop.
This toy was just a big strong rubber ball.
You’d grip its handles so you wouldn’t fall.
I loved to bounce around the yard on it,
and all I had to do was simply sit!
A boy I kind of liked showed up one day.
I didn’t know he’d come and seen me play
until I got up off that crazy ball
and went to tell him “hi,” but that’s not all. . .
I learned the back side of my shorts had split.
The whole time he was there, I never knew it.
My sisters later told me. Well, that guy
simply stayed and didn’t bat an eye!
I felt so idiotic and was sure
he must have found me kind of immature,
a grown girl hopping all around her lawn!
But worse was how I felt once he had gone.
He’d seen my shorts ripped from behind, and then
said nothing. I could not face him again.
So silly! He still liked me after all. . .
but I abandoned him and that dang ball!
For Paula Swanson's "Childhood Memory" Contest
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment