playground love

Together we ran on the playground.

My pigtails flew in the air.

‘Chase the boys’ girls happily cheered -

Felt like you were the only one there.

I called you names at lunchtime.

Over apples and sticks of cheese.

I didn’t mean a word I said -

Just wanted you to look at me.

Too worried that words would lead nowhere.

I kept chasing you around.

Until we became ‘too old’ for it -

Silence raiding the playground.

It got harder for you to notice me.

Without words, under braces and tears.

I noticed you lost your own voice too -

Victims of social-driven fears.

Until you dropped a pencil in September.

We reached for it, touched hands.

And as our eyes met - green and hazel -

I knew the Universe had a plan.

And you noticed me - so sweetly

And loved me like never before

And held me like I knew you would

And I couldn’t have asked for more.

In waves of scrapbooks and cheesy memories,

You still hold my hand so tight.

Wrinkles tell our stories now -

Muffled visions of a wonderful life.

With you, I found my voice again.

My words flow freely - fast.

I daydream of our future -

As I reminisce our perfect past.

And with you, I return to the playground.

A worry-free paradise of joy.

Where I can be that little girl -

Who fell in love with a boy.

And though we’re old and wrinkled

I wouldn’t trade it for anything - never.

I’d rather spend the rest of my days with you,

And be on our playground forever.