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Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

0 posted 1999-12-06 06:01 PM

Is Superman Real?

The boys sing
a southern twang.
Real country,
they play their Ovaltine
can drums with chopsticks
in questionable rhythm.
The girls in my long skirts
dance with strapless
hem tripping,
in baby blue eye shadow
and fruit flavored lip stick.

In grandma’s rough hat
of mothballs and dust,
and silk kimono
from a long ago Hong Kong,
I sang "Yankee Doodle".
Brother snickered,
mother clapped.

The boys bath towels
around their necks,
jump from the top bunk
their capes flare.
The girls lock the bathroom door
and giggle.

In mother’s strappy heels
clunk-clunking across the
impressed floor,
I wanted to be grown up.
Thirteen was the magic time

The girls strut the hall,
soldiers in the parade
of growing up.
My girl is dressed
in my high school prom formal,
her friend in drill team wear,
straight out of my youth
they marched singing
"It’s my party and I’ll dress as I want to".

At thirteen
I got braces,
acne and my period
at the same time I started liking boys.

The boys fall
breathless to the floor.
"Look Mom,
this is how Superman really goes."
The frayed towel edges
reach the floor
with pink floral pattern,
not incongruous to them.

To be a cowboy,
ride a horse into my future
was my dream.
There was no place
for this dream in the dance
of my middle class twirling skirts.

The boys want to have motorcycles
and they want to be cool.
They have learned to say
"he done" and "ain’t".

If I smiled
nothing bad could happen.
Dressed up, I danced
the song in my heart

But…

something bad
did happen
that I couldn’t tell
with my voice
or graceful little girl dance.

My girl catches a heel
in a hem of satin,
the sound turns
her face of laughter
into almost tears.
Just beginning,
she does not realize
that she is almost ending.

The boys question me
for the answers
     "Mom, can I ride my bike down town by myself?"
     "Mom, today at school I couldn’t do my paper and I almost cried."
     Mom, I don’t want a motorcycle when I grow up because they’re dangerous, right?"
     "Mom, is Superman real?"

Severn
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-17

Posts 7704

1 posted 1999-12-06 06:19 PM

Oh Martie - I love this!!!!
Fantastic - it captured me.
Growing up is a dangerous time.

Andrew Scott
Member Elite

since 1999-06-24

Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA

2 posted 1999-12-06 06:27 PM

Excellent read here Martie... I do so love being a parent. There is that saying "If I knew then, what I know know!"... I'm glad I didn't, for how could one be a kid if you did? I thought your ending was very strong with the questions and I like the lines "Just beginning,she does not realize that she is almost ending." Once again, well done! And thanks for sharing.

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

3 posted 1999-12-06 07:10 PM

Martie, you put such flavor into everything you write. It is such pleasure reading your work.

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

4 posted 1999-12-06 10:39 PM

This is fabulous, Martie! I enjoyed this very much! Childhood goes too, too quickly.

Denise

Innocent_Bystander
Junior Member

since 1999-12-05

Posts 15

5 posted 1999-12-06 11:03 PM

Umm I actually love being a kid well I don't think 17 is really still a child but you know. but I enjoy being a kid.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

6 posted 1999-12-11 04:02 PM

Thanks for your replies everyone. I for one am still growing up and it's getting more and more fun!

In the dew of little things,
the heart finds its morning
and is refreshed.
(ee cummings)

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