Recess Kids

Recess Kids

I went through my mind, there on the playground,
not at all surprised, to see Fear and Hope running,
around and around, aimlessly chasing each other down.

And it was a comfort to see Pain and Pleasure,
balanced on green teeter totters, winking while smiling,
smiling at me! No problem there!

Not Praise and Blame, holding the top of
the steel monkey bars. Yelling and screaming at us--
at us, yes! But also at each other; at the top of their lungs!

At least they weren’t kicking up dust, like Gain and Loss,
getting too dizzy, riding the spinner, pebbles flying,

the other kids watching,
dizzied and waiting
to take their next turn . . .

But Fame and Disgrace?

Fame and Disgrace?

They weren’t allowed to come out this hour.
corralled in the classroom, nose in the corner,
having been caught cheating, on the morning quiz.

Dan Sturn