Wrists are scraped slightly on warm metal bars kissed by the sunshine. Somewhere, clickity clackety plastic things numbs the street air  in electric buzz from spokes creating musical noise in its own rhythm. I turn back to look at her, she smiles. Shirt ballooned by wind ushering me to continue before I slow her down. Our mission of  10 cent Popsicles and quarter bag of chips are relentless in the haze of summer and sweltering sun. memories now a blur. Mommom calls us, her voice a beacon in the city of  asphalt and pavement which we spill upon and she immediately nurses.  street lights fade to Black replace lightning bugs abuzz in  Neon twirling into our smiles  of small conversation and popped bubble gum defying gravity on fire escapes  dangling toes a reminder of our landmark. Finally, a small breeze pollen upon dewy knees to greet us  good night summers of nostalgia  birthed from bike spokes. ~b.r.rivera ...

She's a shell, you know. Some sort of fat humpty dumpty look a like skin un-kissed by the warmth of the sun. She's never seen what its like to allow the dimples to careen into deep valleys whiten the glazed over eyes of youth in almost porcelain enamels challenge the hurried hours in a curl of a moist lip. who knows what enters the mind at the middle of the playground dust and dirt kicked up to the pressed starchiness and itchiness of stockings. A reminder of delicate legs and shapely hips, bursting out to enter adolescence but pulled back in ribbons and plaits worn in her time. they scream at her, you know. some kind of words learned from their environment where the mother is a bitch from handing the daddies their plates cold the father is a motherfucker from a stain of red on a collar the dog is a shitter from a pound where only mixed breeds die and the child still lays in the womb as audio obscenities blast auto-tune in its fetal po...

Do You Like Me? Circle YES         or          NO and meet me by the slide. The one next to the monkey bars, but not the one next to the swings. You know, the big one. I have something to give you. I know you don't like surprises, so I'll just tell you. Its a dandelion. My Pops said they're just a weed, but I think this flower would look pretty in your hair. I'll wait for you. Wait here for 10 minutes if I have to. I know its a long time, but good things come to those that wait? Well, my MomMom said that a watched pot never boils, so I think she's talking about me watching a clock but I don't know why a clock would be hot. You know. Not spicy. But from the heat. It is warm out here today. Listen, are you still reading this? Why don't you just come and give me the answer already. I'm going to miss the bus and its a long walk home When the answer is No. -b.r.rivera-taylor 12 of 30 #30in30