Remember the day we
raced in bags, tripped
constantly as we
tried to hold hands?
The bags stamped patterns
on our skin when we hit ground.
Do children still jump in sacks,
hold hands against the solitary
stance they somehow know?
Do they still search patterns on their
skin as if maps to the future?
This is posted in response to the prompt by Laurie on 'Burlap' and Patterns over at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads and is 55 words for the g-man for Friday Flash 55.
The photo is from Your Dictionary Images.
I love patterns on skin as maps to the future. Thanks so much for participatin!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your post, this memory popped to mind.
DeleteI wonder that too, Mary. With all of the electronics they're plugged into, I hope they still enjoy the simple pleasures we enjoyed back when.
ReplyDeleteAnd three legged races, jump rope, ball ('A' my name is Alice), tag, red rover… Yes, I wonder, too.
Deletesmiles...we still do sack races....there is great nostalgia in that for me...love that bit in the end as well about searching the skin for the futures...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun thing to do with your kids.
DeleteHa, this definitely tweaked some old memories. You know, I haven't seen or heard of sack races in a while. Methinks that these sacks might be more difficult to find than they were an 'age' ago!
ReplyDeleteNor have I but we had them for Fourth of July park celebrations every year.
DeleteI guess kids are all much of a muchness still! Thanks for this flash back to childhood. ♥
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the directions on how to link in a comment. It's good to keep learning at my age.
DeleteMary, your poignant poem makes me wonder as well ....
ReplyDeleteI went to your blog and like its title. Poetry does matter.
DeleteI believe children in their sweet innocence do just fine until they get poisoned by adults.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you found this prompt to be challenging, creative, and FUN!
Loved your 55
You did a fantastic job, 1st time or not.
Thanks for playing, please join us again, and have a Kick Ass Week-End
It was both challenging and fun so I will join you again. Telling a story in so few words- I liked it.
DeleteI like this Mary--there is memory and wisdom in it. I can't even think where I would find a real burlap bag these days. Keep writing! Love the photo at the top of your blog. Looks like N California.
ReplyDeleteThanks, the photo at the top is the view from my balcony here in Italy. In the other direction is the sae and the mountains.
DeleteThe smell of burlap always brings me back to my childhood--sadly animal feed no longer comes in burlap bags, which means the bags are no longer readily available...
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen them in years either.
DeleteI remembered games of sack races before...they are so fun ~
ReplyDeleteI remember when I figured out the way to hold the sack up and jump at the same time. It was a matter of rhythm.
DeleteOh...I love the last two lines and that they are posed in a question. Excellent image!!
ReplyDeleteThanks and I'm glad you stopped by.
DeleteGreat sense of nostalgia, and excellent questions! Well done.
ReplyDeleteI like that prompts can bring up memories long forgotten.
Delete"patterns on their skin as if maps to the future" Love that. I can so remember sack races...I never was any good at it. lol
ReplyDeleteI got good at them and liked winning!
DeleteIt brought back the memories Mary! Youngsters these days may not know of the joys of sack races. They are addicted to FB and the various games to bother. Nicely Ma'am!
ReplyDeleteHank
Thanks, I didn't mean it to be good vs. bad, just noting the differences.
DeleteI vaguely remember maybe one fair that I attended and I watched, but I didn't do the sack race myself. You make it seem like I missed something fun! I don't think they do that any more.
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't seen them for years but I did find them fun.
DeleteI hope children still do this. I remember what fun it used to be.
ReplyDeleteK
I'm sure they're doing other fun things- skateboarding, etc.
DeleteLove the imagery and textures in this poem! My daughter wouldn't know about burlap sacks! Too bad for her.
ReplyDeleteWe have our secret delights!
Deletevery cool...we never did sack races as kids but we spent a lot of time, lying in the grass and de-riddling cloud patterns...smiles..this is a lovely write..
ReplyDeleteAnother memory triggered- lying on the slope of grass in the front yard cloud watching. They were simple joys.
Delete