The Vocation of an Afternoon Sun

The Vocation of an Afternoon Sun

 

 

It was a summer of preadolescent years.

I was playing hopscotch on a cement walk

as grandmother preened the weeds

of Hydrangea’s in Gatsby pink.

 

Mrs. Potts was raking leaves to burn curbside.

A sweetness of grapes permeated from her backyard vine

intercepting my stream of consciousness,

as mother’s litany of frustration could be heard

over a just waxed floor.

 

I impetuously threw for a seven,

then hopped barefoot towards

an upturned bottle cap

as the pendulum sway of a ponytail

snared the vocation of an afternoon sun.

Reviews

[Corset]

lucky number seven! This is our week for lovely memories, I had a baby sitter who grew plums and our father would leave us there for days on end, poor woman, I was constantly in trouble for eating the plums :C if you snuck over to that neighbors grapes I am certain we would have been besties :D

[Kelly Scheppers]

I most certainly did! Every sunday evening when they went to church, I'd jump over the fence and get me a handful. What a thrill it was. Thanks, Corset!

[Corset]

lol! ah the enticement of forbidden fruit will always be our downfall ey? giggles

[Kelly Scheppers]

...absolutely! I think that's why they tasted so good!

[Crowley]

Yeah...I loved this. I am listening to "To kill a Mockingbird" with my daughter as we drive around the last three days and this reminded me of that. simple nostalgic bliss. the smell of summer and childhood. Really awesome write!!1

[Kelly Scheppers]

This time of year is so nostalgic with memories of summer, as kids go back to school. So happy it brought back a smile for you! Thanks so much, Crowley!

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Does it get any better than the summer sun and youthful simplicity? I brought back to hopscotch and jumprope..singing those silly songs of cinderella went upstairs to kiss her fella or down down baby, mmmm that was the life!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Those were the days of endless summers, weren't they? What fun we had with chalk and a sidewalk! Thanks, Eve!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you almost brought me back to the Bronx...almost...but i like your place better.
We played hopscotch on the cement, but didn't have the flowers or any of the other surroundings you beautifully describe...we just had concrete...lots of it...
i like your afternoon sun better.

j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I had no idea that boys played it, too! Thanks, Jacob!

[Ted Kniffen]

This is a lovely glimpse into a time that was far more innocent seeming than today. I can't think of the last time I smelled burning leaves (pollution you know), but I can certainly recall the scent as autumn.
A delightful trip into nostalgia.
A pleasure to read.

Ted

[Kelly Scheppers]

My street was lined with oak trees, so there was always an abundance of leaves. It truly was the scent of autumn. Thank you, Ted. So glad to have taken you back!

[Lyn Anderson]

Lovely portrayal of childhood, it seems a different rhythm for you

[Kelly Scheppers]

I believe I was so traumatized by my father's death at such a young age, that I simply blocked everything else out - most of my childhood, except for this one of playing hopscotch. It is as vivid to me as if it were yesterday. Thank you, Lyn!

[Lyn Anderson]

So then, my perception that thiis one is different is accurate.

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Wonderful memories- so good to remember the innocence and feel the time of day that warmed your heart and soul- wonderful words🌹

[Kelly Scheppers]

...and it still does, even to this day! Thank you, Kelly!

[Chris Shaw]

This is such a delightful read Kelly. I played hopscotch as well as a child, so you transported me back in time. You captured the moment perfectly complete with that bouncing ponytail and chalk dust. Those were the days.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I still have that ponytail!!! Lol, thanks so much, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

I have mine too!

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

This was delightful, and a subject I often find myself envious of. Made me feel like I was waiting for my turn at hopscotch. Wonderful.

[Kelly Scheppers]

How sweet! I am thrilled you felt like you were there. Thank you, Travis.

[DianneR]

Oooh..."the pendulum sway of a ponytail.." I can almost feel it myself as I hop and skip toward that chalky number, barefoot on the sidewalk. You've invoked a typical summer memory of a youthful girl's innocent play. Pure delight!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Playing hopscotch is one of my fondest memories as a child. Thank you, Dianne. I could really feel the warmth of your smile!