We used to play orphans in the woods
Running home out of the cold
To soup, a fire in the hearth,
Mom waiting at the screen door
Dad pulling up in his truck
As the sun fell below the horizon
We used to run through the corn field
Stalks slapping our faces and bare arms
Breathing fast and quiet
Sweat slipping down our backs
Playing hide and seek
We used to run, always running
Bare feet slapping the packed dirt
Knowing all the roots and rocks on the beaten path
Slipping on the early evening dew in summer
Asking for just five more minutes
We used to jump on the trampoline
For hours in the freezing cold
Holes in our jeans at the knees
Wrestling and spraying each other
With the hose in the heat
We used to jump across rows of hay bales
Climb the trees and cut them down
Swing from the tire swing
And do cartwheels across the yard
And take our blankets out in early spring
We used to swim in the muddy river
And follow the flood of the hurricane
Back home through the woods
Where we'd play games
Designed to ruin our parents' furniture
We used to cram in the bed of Dad's truck
Sticking our heads out in the wind like dogs
Hair flying all in our open mouths, laughing
Bluegrass playing out the open windows
And I guess I'm just in a panic to get it all down
Because we all failed in different ways
But everyday was so simple
And the anticipation of the next was visceral and excruciating
And so clear when I think back
Like I just couldn't wait
Like we were just living
Like we were kids
