When I Was Five
When I was five, I played
Around other children
At the park
On the west edge
Of town, where the gray concrete slab served
As our skating rink.
I recall
Their presence, but not their faces-
Their laughter, but not their smiles-
Their movements, but not their forms-
Too intent was I upon my own
Zigzagging dance.
I circled…’round and ‘round
In white, boot-styled skates
With four wheels and a pink rubber stopper attached
To each toe, and laces so long that they needed
Two ankle wraps before tying the ends in a lopsided bow.
I ventured…on my braver days
To the center of the rink, far
From the railings; too far to catch myself
From falling.
I trudged home … then
With fresh knee-scrapes and dried tear-trails
On my cheeks, and my mother knew
I had been brave.
Sometimes, I walked…
By myself
On all the sidewalks
In our tiny town
From my home to the park,
From the park to the grocery store on the corner where
I crossed the street straight ahead, turned
Left, and crossed again
Northward
Up the long, long hill past Doug White’s house, turned
Right at the Parker kids’ house, and
Skipped
To the red-bricked building
With “Redfield” carved
Above the double doors at the top
Of the steep cement steps.
I sensed… other children hurrying up the steps
Into the dark, narrow entrance hall
Of the old brick school where raincoats were hung
On hooks just outside the classroom door, and
Red rubber overshoes lined
Up against the wall waiting.
I stood in the doorway,
Looked inside, and
Watched the others.
I recall…
Their presence,
Their laughter,
Their movements, and
I felt… safe.
Copyright ©
Michelle Waters
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