My Pirate Self

I’ve been a pirate since I was seven And read Pippi Longstockings. I’ve been a pirate since Swiss Family Robinson came onto the Screen, and I was allowed to see it. I’ve been a pirate since Realized that pirates get to Do what they want, Not having mothers. I’ve been a pirate since I fell in love with Peter Pan. And sometimes I would Switch from Pirate to Peter Pan, not wanting A mother to tell me What to do. I’ve been a pirate, And a lone wolf, and Trixie Belden, girl detective. With my friend, Honey Wheeler. Yes, I have been all of These and more, based on The book I was reading at The moment. We did not Have lots of movies when I was growing up. But we had lots And lots of books. I spent two or three Summers in the back Forty about thirty feet Up a double Cottonwood Tree, with sandwiches, And red Koolaid, Reading a pile of books. Not a book. Not two books. A pile of books. And I did not come Down until I heard My mother yell my Last warning, which Meant my first, Middle, and last Name. When I heard that I knew I had better Hightail it out of That treehouse, And land in my Supper-eating chair.