ELEGY Poem: Hopscotch, by Cristina Leavitt

pick up the rock, throw. it lands.
do i remember how to play this childish game? once i did,
when my time was taken up with floral skirts, double dutch,
laughter, hair red as a sunburn wearing

a braided floral crown. white petals
falling, a delicate halo. now, i am hesitant. no longer
sun kissed and smiling, making wishes with dandelion puffs,
pulling petals off—he loves me, he loves me not.

he never will. i want to scream.
i always laughed too loud.
can i tell you a secret?
i pretend now,
laughing loud so you think i’m happy.
i’d rather be screaming while running barefoot in the grass

again. heat crawls up my face, eyes of strangers
prickles my skin. i hop on one foot. land on each number,
jump over my rock. turn around. return to the beginning.

Author: poetryfest

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three Options: 1) To post. 2) To have performed by an actor 3) To be made into a film. View all posts by poetryfest