NaPoWriMo #15 - Childhood Games

National Poetry Month Prompt #15 (From ReadWritePoem) - Carrying a Tune.
      In a nice private place, pick out a stanza, or a few lines, that you like from a poem that you don’t otherwise feel was very successful. Say them over to yourself.

      Now hum them. See if you can find the tune.
      And now sing them aloud. (Who cares if you can sing? You’re in private. And this is poetry!)
      Throwing away the rest of the poem, write two more stanzas (stand-alone or connected) that go to the same tune.
       No fair doing it silently!

Childhood Games

Of mudpies and magpies and Duck, Duck Goose.

We played every day in the sun.
Ring around the Rosie and the Mulberry Bush.
Each day was filled with fun.
London Bridge was Falling Down.
Georgie Porgie had Puddin’ and Pie.
I never dreamed you’d go away
Leaving me here to cry.

When we were young, we were carefree.
We played games and sang silly songs.
Will you ever come back to me?
You’ve been gone way too long.

When the sun grew tired and the hot air cooled,
It was time to play Hide ‘n Seek.
We hurriedly hid the best we could,
Then quietly we would creep
Closer and closer to “Home” we’d move,
Hoping we wouldn’t get caught.
We’d laugh so hard, we’d often cry –
“This is life,” or so we thought.

(Bridge) Children grow up and learn new games;
                Sometimes they just can’t stay.
                You promised you would never leave,
                But then you went away.

When we were young, we were carefree.
We played games and sang silly songs.
Will you ever come back to me?
You’ve been gone way too long.

I wish that you’d come back to me…
You’ve been gone way too long.

©Bridget Nutting, 2010