shuffle shuffle shuffle
the snow is hard, high and packed
squeeze yourself, thread yourself
between the high backyard fences
but make stealthy tracks
do not be detected
do not be detested in your
red snow pants.
a new girl like you does
the best she can.
a new girl like you
makes other plans.
walk the unwalked roads
the paths where no others go.
change it everyday, every other day
so they will never know...
can't repeat what happened
the day the bicycle road over
your back
leaving griddle marks, tire treads
branding you with what they
felt you lacked.
shuffle shuffle shuffle
through the high, hard-packed snow
pretend its an adventure
forget the ankle-biting cold.
who cares if you make it home
before it gets dark,
better to live another day
without a kick or punch or
a barbed remark.
little girls can be mighty mean.
your heart is much stronger
than theirs
your grit and ingenuity
remain to be seen.
one day there'll be no more
stupid Camp Fire Girls.
one day your Mother won't
force you to fit in with
to be like
those misbegotten girls.
well, then you've developed
your own bubbled protective world,
and you will grow older.
Melissa A Howells Copyright December 1 2010. Very Early again in the morning.
Meloo of Tilt-a-World
