The Bench that Hit Back
Recess would be the time to run free, After being inside practicing tracing K’s around pages. Run short, long, straight, up, down, anywhere. Tumbling out of the Little Tikes Jr. gym, Hands on the ground, one foot too far ahead I couldn’t stop. Monkey bars were my favorite. Swinging forward and up, my stomach dropped with excitement. When my hands were too sweaty I moved to the balance beam; Pink like Pepto-Bismol, steady as a log in white rapids. I loved the challenge and the thrill Each obstacle increasing my imagination. To be five and curiously competitive is dangerous Or so I learned. The scuffed plastic jungle gym was boring, It was dull and old and not intriguing Until the day I tumbled and ran Falling through the rabbit hole. Climbing head-first out of the top round cutout I placed hands then foot on the grassy dirt ground. The next foot went forward and I tripped. The back foot flew forward and I tripped. The trip turned into...