Peer respond

Reach Out

Set on a high shelf

three steps ahead

glinting atop a towering mountain

it'll always be far, having fled

you stretch

you try to reach

your wishes, goals, hopes,and dreams

so close that you can taste the sweetness of each

sometimes,

in order to get what you want

you have to take a daring leap

sometimes,

you've got to take a chance

you have to take the plunge

because,

even if you do fall, you can stand back up

but, if you stand still, you'll always wonder,

what would've happened if I'd've jumped.

Rules

don't touch

don't taste

don't stand

don't run

don't ignore

don't distract

don't imagine

don't speak

don't create

don't think

don't learn.

don't stand out

don't laugh

don't love

don't stay up late

don't sleep in

don't be

don't

do not

not

no

no

no

yes

yes

yes

go

yes, go

yes, go and

yes, go and smile

yes, go and run and trip

yes, go and feel the sun

yes, go and taste the rain

yes, go and think about the stars

yes, go and create worlds without end Yes, go and write a poem

yes, go and dance to a song you sing

yes, go and get dirty

yes, go and eat a whole cake

yes, go and talk to those you like

yes, go and meet new people

yes, go and learn how a plane flies

yes, go and wear a penguin costume

yes, go and travel

yes, go and eavesdrop on your brothers phone call

yes, go and distract your mom with a hug

yes, go and be

yes, go and be

yes, go and be.

The world is more than rules.

for, if you only followed rules, how boring you'd be.

Backyard Make Believe

the sun glitters, playing hiding and go seek with the clouds

the air is hot and sticky, but I do not care.

the green of the fields brushes softly against the emerald of the trees

birdsong, cicada cries and frog chirps swirl on the wind

the fairies I can almost see flitter from one flower to the next.

A golden crown of clover flowers sits atop my head

the trees just beyond my walls hold lion and kelpies

I hear the soft sounds of the fauns

my sisters stand as royalty beside me

Heave! Ho!

ahead, just through the clouds shining like diamonds

our destination! Sunburst Island!

older brother, now turned first matey calls for more speed

I monkey down to the boosters,

careful of the drop to my death below

younger sister and I swing and swing till we are soaring through the sky

we are cloud pirates

I pick at the measly scraps

greasy hair and dirty fingernails

wild onion and carrot sleep nestled in my dust pottery bowl

being an orphan is hard

we must eat though

there isn’t much else