Perceived

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Perceived

Squeaky screen doors witnessed our release

as we heedlessly tumbled through, 
slammed to its frame, Dad's reprimand abridged,
our voices voluminous as country children’s are.

Looney Tunes babysat early Saturday morns,

Fruit Loops eaten from the box; 

(an unspoken bribe we gladly endorsed)

but come 10:00 a.m. we were wired 

(perhaps all that sugar) 

and arms and legs pumped simultaneously 

as we shot toward freedom

and lax parental supervision,

when screen door was a barrier 

between their world and ours.

Gone were restrictions, nagging voices

preaching decorum and tidiness. 

We were free to muddy our feet 

running through corn fields and riverbanks,

lakeside collecting toads (which I wouldn’t touch),

snaking our way through forbidden terrain 

(short cuts through neighbor’s back yards)

and experiences never shared

with grownups.  One such I'll never forget

featured getting stuck in quicksand, 

chased by ravaged beasts, boot left behind.

We went back following day 

to dried dirt path, red boot sideways,

backyard dogs barking … but we knew 

(know to this day) we survived a terror, 

perhaps an alien invasion.  Our hearts 

had pumped so, our whispered retellings grew

(perhaps more than a little) 

but scraped knees and muddied palms still tingle 

when I dream (every few years) of this, always glad
screen door shuts quietly, securely behind me.

by Margaret Bednar, June 8, 2019

This is linked with "Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Just One Word - Muddy".    This true experience immediately came to mind.   It wasn't an easy memory to put to a poem, but I gave it my best effort.  Funny how the sound of a screen door always reminds me of summer.  But now I realize my Dad took it off after "Indian summer" and put a storm door up for fall and winter.

I also must add, my Mother NEVER allowed "junky" cereal.  Rice Crispies was her way of meeting us halfway.  When I spent the nights at my friend's houses, I was so thrilled to eat Apple Jacks and such cereals.

I might have to do a poetry prompt based on the sounds of the seasons...