Child's Play

Children's games and nursery rhymes

We played Ring around the roses

With the blood of our future.

Spin them around we would,

Till their shoulders dislodged

From their sockets. Then we

Ask why they don’t want to

Play anymore.

Author's Note

Ideas? Thoughts? Feelings? Praises or Critiques?

Reviews

[Marie]

Dear poet, this succinct poetic gem took me back in time to yesteryear as we played in the streets. I remember the spinning around so well, but it was part of play and we loved it, in truth. Children tire of games easily especially if they are not the ones being spun around and so we would sit on the kerb to rest and start up a new game again. "With the blood of our future" I see as marrying someone within the group when grown up and having a family together. I truly love this poem. It tells a beautiful story, now a memory to recall, of times past when childhood was a time of innocence and happiness and making beautiful memories to look back on later in life. You created a beautiful gem in crafting this delightful and truly charming poem. THANK YOU! for sharing, dear poet...

[Sapphus]

Very strange feelings but I like it really. This is good poetry.

[AYVID N]

I really liked the vivid images of dislodged shoulders your words created. I solidly, agree with you on the point you made. We must be so careful with our blood. And we don't get second chances I this aspect. Well said!

[JayG]

Well, you did ask...

• We played Ring around the roses

No, we didn't. And it's called, either "Ring a Ring o' Rosie," or, "Ring Around the Rosie in the US, for specific reasons. Always do your research.

• With the blood of our future.

Okay, I give up. What's "the blood of our future?" You know. Th one this is addressed to may know. The reader? Not a clue.

• Spin them around we would,

That's not how the game works. No one spins anyone, the players form a circle, join hands, and WALK, hands joined, in a circle, until "All fall down." It's a gentle game, a cooperative game, usually played by very young children, or as a dance game by older children.

Making up your own version only works if the reader is on-board so far as context.

• Till their shoulders dislodged from their sockets.

Seriously? If that was the kind of games you played. I'm glad I don't live in your neighborhood.

As with your other postings, this is you talking TO the reader about things meaningful only to you because you provide no context for the reader. Instead of TELLING, which is inherently dispassionate, invite the reader in. Make it meaningful to them make them live the poem. Give them reason to care.