Playground Requiem

a poem

“Birdygird-wononagans-humple-trumple—”
Skipped down the stairs; my skirt was rumpled
Tumbled into tottering Tim
Laughed aloud, then started again.

“1, 2, 6, 8,”
This is how we celebrate
“3, 4, 5, 10”
Close your eyes and shout “We win!”

…I was there when Sophie died
All her teammates horrified
Running round with pixie stix
Hoping they could get their fix

Earnestine was first in line
“Will you be my valentine?”
Sophie winced with glasses smashed
Skidding as she breathed her last

Her mama screamed “Hey simmer down!”
**Jumping jacks and playard sounds**
No one paid her any mind—
No one would be her valentine—

“Tomsy-tipsy-wobbly-woo”
“Can’t catch me—I’m gonna get you!”

None of the children cared to stop,
So the grim reaper came to knock.