SEESAW
from “The Playground Sonnets”
The sun was overhead. The playground steamed.
The grass was worn out where we tapped our feet,
each strike a plosive followed by a dust-burst
through which like phoenixes we toiled emerging.
Our breathing quickened. Thrilled, we rose and fell,
by turns sharing roles of load and effort,
allied with a single purpose—pleasure—nearly free,
held captive by a beam and fulcrum apparatus.
Pulsing with each thump we hammered time
to be subject to a different hammering
of schools and special schools, tutors and therapists,
as gated clubhouse gave way to a city.
Where once we strayed not far from equilibrium
I dismounted alone, I feel, and left you there.
