Playground Gifts, a Teacher's Joy

by Jeannie E. Roberts

                                       

They'd run toward her holding their outdoor delights,

rocks and twigs, bouquets arranged with feathers,

dandelions, and clover. They baked birthday cakes

made of sand and sticks, with bugs and an occasional

worm for chewy measure. They invited her to tea,

or sometimes lunch, where she'd feast upon pretend

pea pods, pistachio ice cream, and lemon meringue pie.

By the end of recess,

her hands and pockets were brimming with playground

matter, and her insides swelled from their generosity.

Whenever she'd accept these gifts memories awakened,

winked with abundance, leaped with pinecones

and pollywogs, fossils and wild flowers, transported her

to a time of outdoor amusement, chock-full of games,

and hide-and-seek, where they'd play, and he'd run toward

her, holding his arms outstretched, laughing and calling,

Here I am, Mama!

* * * * *

Jeannie E. Roberts has authored four poetry collections, including The Wingspan of Things (Dancing Girl Press, 2017), Romp and Ceremony (Finishing Line Press, 2017), Beyond Bulrush (Lit Fest Press, 2015), and Nature of it All (Finishing Line Press, 2013). She is also the author and illustrator of Rhyme the Roost! A Collection of Poems and Paintings for Children (forthcoming from Daffydowndilly Press, an imprint of Kelsay Books, 2019) as well as Let's Make Faces!, a children's book dedicated to her son (author-published, 2009). She is Poetry Editor of the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs and a member of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.