from the very first day of school
I can remember the rule sternly set
“no going near the kudzu patch”
it was out back behind the portable buildings
and the monkey bars and swing set
and beyond the patch where we played kickball
back before all of the regulations had
such things padded and fenced in
we were mindful of that
as we played kickball
with the hopes that no ball would go
into the forbidden territory
mindful of the warning to stay away
that is just what we did
until that one day
when you and the others
ran back there
with wild abandon
I stood mortified
of what could happen
to you, to all of you
back there
or later, when you were caught–
if you even survived
(part of me was sure you wouldn’t
for five year olds, kudzu monsters
can be very real)
you had your fun
and later paid the price in the principal’s office
and maybe even with your folks
I’ve always remembered that day–
when I looked on
and worried over what would happen
and now here we stand
talking about where life has taken us
we are the grownups now,
it’s amazing that somehow we made it to this point
despite all the bumps and bruises along the way
you look none the worse for wear, my friend,
a life well done despite your day of infamy
and me,
I wonder what I missed
from not playing in the kudzu patch
all those years ago
I Might Need A Nap 