Eleven

This is completely your doing, Serah :)

that summer when i was eleven

i remember... everything

heat, damning, delirious heat

watermelon slices, shirley temples

the basement bar, cool and dark

the aunt's working, Uncles guarding

blues on the jukebox, sultry, sweet

a perfect match for hot July days

i was a princess, with my own court

baby sister by my side, always laughing

tattooed, burly bikers, attending every whim

dances, bike rides, silly faces, they did it all

Rooster crowing each time he saw me

red beard tucked away in his belt

my first dance to mustang sally

he was my first wordsmith too

he was so much more than the sum

of his leathers, and chrome

Bubba with his tree trunk arms

and a heart bigger than any I've seen

always ready with an easy smile

or to make sure nothing scared us - ever

there was always joy, always fun,

adventures, freedom, and memories

that summer, when I was eleven

thank god, I remember everything

Author's Note

My sister and I had biker "uncles" as babysitters that summer, and several others. They were great guys. Rooster had TWO doctorate degrees, Bubba was an architect. So many others. Never judge a book by it's cover - and really, if you want little girls to be *really* safe? Leave them with bikers! ;)

Reviews

[Leslie Philibert]

This is really good, and what I like the is the way you stick to the couplet structure and line length, it not only reads well but looks good too, this is for me the sign of a good writer. Excellent.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you very much!

[Chris]

Good flow and tone...good memories...

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you!

[zainul]

I also remember everything of your first dance which was so sparkling!
You have vividly depicted everything in this piece.
Wonderful write.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you :)

[zainul]

You are always welcome.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I have know a few gentle giants like the ones you portray here! This was an absolutely delightful surprise and I still don't know how I got here. I am thrilled to have had the chance to read about this wonderful summer in your life. It was beautifully written and that last line just drives the whole thing home. The italics on everything enhances. Great!

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you so much! Greatly appreciated :)

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

You are most welcome! I loved it!

[...]

. hahahaha!!! ... your piece and your author's note are just super exciting and fascinating ... unbelievable ... i am thrilled to bits that you remember "everything" ... thank you so much for sharing this vivid snapshot from your childhood ... gosh ... i was there with you all the way ... fantastically narrated and i love each and every detail ... if i picked favourite lines, i'd end up picking this entire poetic photograph ... and, i'm proud of me for making this adorable journey happen :) ... that's why i approved of 11 for you, i could sense there were some magical memories and they're very mesmerizing ... with a lot of zing :) ...

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you for the inspiration! ;)

[...]

. haha!!! ... any time ... my mind is all yours :P ...

[New Dawn]

Sounds like a fantastic summer - you are absolutely right, it is all to east to judge people on appearance or by the company they keep, I'm sure there are plenty of gentle giants out there. You painted a lovely picture.

[SpitfireGrrrl]

Thank you :)