John Lawless Poet Free verse

The Playground

Great moments in childhood

THE PLAYGROUND.
Responsible for
bumps, bruises, broken bones
busted egos
Redeemed by
spontaneous acts of wisdom
retaliation, retribution and mercy.

THE “JUNGLE BARS”
A ten foot high tower
ruled by a reincarnated
Olympic gymnast.

THE “SEE-SAW”
An 18 foot plank
Balanced on a fulcrum
(never trust the other kid
to dismount slowly and ease you down)

THE CENTRIFUGE
(aka the kid killer)
A 12 foot in diameter lever powered device.
Purpose - to allow children to spin so fast
that they could be thrown in a tumbling
mass across the stone strewn ground.

THE “SLIDE”
A 15 foot long metal chute
Capable of reaching temperatures of 125 degrees
on a perfect “let’s go play in the park” day.

THE “SWINGS”
A controllable Grandfather Clock 
capable of inducing great fear and excitement
and an insatiable desire to get higher – faster.
(often thought of as a “gateway drug”)

John G. Lawless
©6/15/2021

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Jan Allison June 19, 2021 at 1:49 PM what wonderful memories and such fun imagery - I especially loved the seesaw one as I am small and occasionally I would go flying off when a larger child dismounted and I was up in the air , hugs Jan xx

Gershon Wolf June 18, 2021 at 12:59 PM Sounds like 'playgrounds' should have been named 'Killing Fields!' In Israel, many playgrounds are built around rusted out tanks from the '67 and '73 wars -- sharp edges and all. (You can't make this stuff up). Ask the adult supervisors about it, and they laugh, "O, there's an angel protecting every child." And maybe they are right. Very, very accidents occur, amazingly enough. :) gw

Andrea Dietrich June 18, 2021 at 9:48 AM gateway drug. hahaha. Loved that ending. I was a real SWINGER in my day. I adored the swings. BUT today I do it for a few minutes and start to feel nauseous. Same with the carnival rides, all those scary ones I adored in my youth. Old age is a real creep making the things you once loved things that you can no longer abide. (that centrifuge was my other favorite) I don't even think you can find those in parks any more. guess to protect today's "fragile" children. clever writing.

Ken Rone June 17, 2021 at 3:00 PM I think you nailed it John. the only thing I think you missed is the tetherball. - Enjoyed the flashbacks - Ken