Name That Game

Ghost-white fingers and skinned knee
Leap one to next one, or two –
Balance and agility.

Use a chalk to draw the form.	
Number in simple sequence.
Shape and size need not conform. 

What folly this? Cast with hands?
Meant to set inside the square,
Wait to find out where it lands. 

Start to count from one to ten. 
Leap away across the ground,
Then jump back to one again. 

Steps and throws, take care to watch,
Outside the square, miss a turn.
That’s the way to play hop scotch!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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

Buhagiar Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 10:17 PM
Is hop-scotch still popular? Lovely poem. ~~
Fowler Avatar
October 9, 2020 at 5:36 AM
Hi Victor. Thank you ! I see it played occasionally 'though not too often. They do make hopscotch chalk now with bright colors, sparkles, and even scented! Nothing so fancy when I was a young girl. In fact, we didn't always have a sidewalk, in which case we'd draw the outline in the dirt.
Wolf Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 5:57 PM
Well, I have no idea how to play this game. We always held it was 'for girls.' Only rarely played on my block now. Thanks for the memories. :)
Fowler Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 6:07 PM
Ha! It's beneficial fun, like hula hoops and such. Thanks gw. laf
Woodrow Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 10:31 AM
oh goodness...what a fun game that was; your write took me back to happy times.. :)
Woodrow Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 12:51 PM
oh yes! we never had side walks though so we had to outline in the bare ground - the circles would start to sink in their centers and we spent hours looking for the right piece of broken glass or clay that would stick when we threw and not slide out! :)
Fowler Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Hi Susan. I think we should go outside and try it, don't you? :) Thanks for dropping by and commenting! Linda
Leffanta Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 10:24 AM
It has been YEARS since I have seen that chalked on a sidewalk! Aloha! Rico
Fowler Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 10:53 AM
It's making a comeback here Rico. And now they have all those wonderful colors of chalk, not just white. And it's thick to make wide lines. :) Thanks for stopping by! aloha Linda
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace