Tomboy

Sworn to secrecy, she told me it had been a long time..
as we sat swinging in a hammock in the late day sun.

'What., are you sayin' you never did it?'

I thought what my mom would do if she caught me, and replied
'brought up different I guess'.

She leaned back into the netting, perhaps chewing on what I said..
half her face streaked in sunlight.  

Suddenly aware of her leg touching mine. So warm...
My cotton red racing striped trunks from Sears, with a secret webbed key pocket..her faded OshKosh B'Gosh bibs she wore all summer except on Sundays.

(Sundays were saved for wearing that white & pink pleated Victorian get up she so detested; a gift from her Grandma bought from Macy's mail order catalog)

She ribbed me with her right elbow, as she jumped clear of our swing.. 
when her mom yelled 'time for supper Kat!' from the front porch. 

But she turned back with that dangerous look I'd learned, leaned in close, and licked across all her teeth.

'Milk's colder and better ya know..
drunk straight from the carton.'

She ran inside letting the screen door go with a full slam..!

I thought about all the times we watched Jonny Quest at her house, 
eatin' our Quisp or Kaboom with that milk..., and smiled.

I kept Kat's secret safe..,'til just now anyway.

                                 
dialogue
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Proxenos Avatar
October 7, 2020 at 9:11 AM
I enjoyed Gershon's comment about your poem Richard, and echo his words, but I enjoyed your reply as much as his comment! Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Theraven Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 8:09 AM
Good morning Jennifer, Glad you enjoy thoughtful comments, I think most poets on the site do too. Just like yours. Thank you for your considerate comment. -Richard
Rodrigues Avatar
September 25, 2020 at 7:27 AM
Wow! Love this! Wrapped up in this tale! Fave, my friend!
Theraven Avatar
September 29, 2020 at 7:54 PM
Kim, Thank you for that comment & Fave. Inspired by Stephen King's book 'The Stand'. -Richard
Dietrich Avatar
September 24, 2020 at 6:30 PM
haha, and my mind was going somewhere else. I love your storytelling here.
Theraven Avatar
September 29, 2020 at 7:47 PM
Thank you for that. I like your storytelling too Andrea. -Richard
Kiser Avatar
September 22, 2020 at 2:14 PM
You fleshed these people out well in this piece. She is quite a tomboy.
Theraven Avatar
September 29, 2020 at 7:39 PM
M.L., Thank you, that she is. We all knew a tomboy like Kat. If we were lucky enough. -Richard
Nicole Avatar
September 19, 2020 at 8:31 PM
:) Yes, she was a Tomboy. "Milk's colder and better ya know.. drunk straight from the carton." Oh my, I can relate to this. Cause I am a Country Girl. Don't mind getting dirty. Your thoughts bring a smile, to my Oreos and milk face. Yummy. :) Brandy
Theraven Avatar
February 21, 2021 at 8:58 PM
Hi Country Girl.., enjoy those oreos and milk. And thanks. -R
Wolf Avatar
September 17, 2020 at 5:01 PM
This is fascinating, Richard. A real period piece -- for every period known to man, up to COVID-19, and maybe even for these troubled times too. Why not? Great write! :) gw
Theraven Avatar
September 18, 2020 at 8:33 AM
Gershon, Thanks. We crack the door a bit wider each poem we write, to let others know they're invited inside. -R
Sands Avatar
September 17, 2020 at 9:44 AM
This poem is great with the detail. A story to remember. I felt like I was there. Well done! I hope all is well :)
Theraven Avatar
September 18, 2020 at 8:30 AM
Heidi, Thank you for commenting. I wish PoetrySoup would add Dialogue as a type pf poetry. If it's good enough for Caren, Victor Hugo, & Lord Byron.... -R
Faulkner Avatar
September 16, 2020 at 10:00 AM
A slice of summer memory, the innocence of childhood, so gentle and sweet, brings back times when life was simple~
Theraven Avatar
September 17, 2020 at 10:47 PM
Michelle, Thanks for that, hope you are okay tonight. -R
Krutsinger Avatar
September 15, 2020 at 11:21 PM
Richard, this was so innocent and notoriously sensual that it reminded me of many sexy days on a porch swing thinking about things I did not even know about yet. So thank you for this!
Theraven Avatar
September 16, 2020 at 8:29 AM
Caren, Thanks, you do conversational poems so well. Innocent times that last a lifetime. Thank God for Tomboys and swings. -R
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