We Were Free
I remember the days
of running free
bare-chests heaving
we ran fleetly
down well beaten wooded paths
with pokeberry painted faces.
Carrying our carefully crafted wooden bows
strung with old shoelaces and twine
and our imagined arrows
flying through the air
with immaculate precision.
Phantom masked outlaws
died by the dozens
and we never lost a battle
to an attacking tribe.
However, we did suffer serious damage
when the visiting traitor
kicked over the yellow jackets nest
and they went
flying and stinging
all the way up my pants
and all in your shirt.
I remember the crazy dance
as we stripped down
running through the yard
swatting and screaming
I don’t know if we brought down rain
but the gods probably laughed.
We scaled tall oak trees
explored meandering creeks
ranged deep into the woods
squinted into the setting sun
of the distant horizon
until the sound of supper’s call.
Tanned and freckled
we laughed and played
friends forever
sealed by blood
separated by death.
Now you are free.
@ D.B. Hall 5/15/2014
D.B. Hall 