Lavender

Mar 25, 2024 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

In Cahoots

Their bikes stormed past
the church lane, down
to the end of the road
where the gravel thins off
into nothingness
but dandelions, clover,
and Queen Anne's Lace.

The five boys wrestled their bikes
into a tight huddle, faces flushed from
riding so darn fast, and so darn hard,
hearts pounding inside their youthful chests -
still innocent,
still fragile.

One of them pulled out an adult magazine
from the underside of his jacket,
opened it up all the way, and then rotated it,
just...so,
as ten curious eyes widened and five mouths dropped.

A little innocence was left behind that day,
covered in dust from the flying gravel,
forever lost beyond the clover
and Queen Anne's Lace.

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

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Comments

Michael Anthony

1 year 3 months ago

Outstanding write L! Really

Outstanding write L! Really like the capture of adolescents on the verge of having an interest and curiosity about the opposite sex. Your last stanza was sublime - wonderful!

Best

Lavender

1 year 3 months ago

Hello, Michael,

This was a bit of fun to write. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you!
L

Candlewitch

1 year 3 months ago

Dear Lavender,

... and another one bites the dust! This poem flows so well from line to line and verse to verse. You made the scene all come together...I love the Queen Anne's Lace very nice touch!

*hugs, Cat

Lavender

1 year 3 months ago

Hello, Cat,

So glad you enjoyed this! I always associate Queen Anne's Lace with riding since it was so prevalent on the bike rides of my youth. I appreciate you reading and commenting!
Lx

Geezer

1 year 3 months ago

There must...

have been an older boy, [the one with the magazine]. He was the one in my story. An awesome write, I'm wondering how you managed to get inside their scenario, and their heads. ~ Geez.
.

Lavender

1 year 3 months ago

Hello, Geezer,

I dug this up from a decades-old poetry journal. I had forgotten all about it and re-tweaked it a bit. Boys are boys are boys...
Thank you for reading!
L

RoseBlack

1 year 3 months ago

It captures the childhood of many boys and the memory of having to sneak a look at their first dirty magazine. The title is perfect since they all had to plan where to meet to look at this magazine. Well done.

Lavender

1 year 3 months ago

Hello, Carrie,

Hope you are well! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Lx