Elementary Love
He didn’t notice that the yard in front
Was small. At ten he thought that it was big,
Or large enough. The two of them could hunt
A hiding place beneath the Turk’s Caps, dig
For doodle bugs, and daydream play. Both he
And Brian were content in shade beneath
The recess sun. And Alice? Calmer glee
She brought him. But the blonder, curly wreath
On Sammy’s head while he was playing ball
Trumped all except the moment that his arm
Went over shoulders. Nothing then felt small.
In fact the joy was huge, enough to harm
Almost. The three of them went off. That school
Year’s end taught Phillip life is glibly cruel.
~ Phillip Whidden
Bayview Elementary School, Washington Avenue, Titusville, Florida (mid-1930s)