Springtime Around The Lemon Tree

by abracadabra   Oct 22, 2011


I like to see a little girl
playing with her brother's friends.
There they are,
stripping every last leaf
off sticks they have carefully
selected from my lemon tree-
straight and sturdy for swords,
bent and knobbly for pistols-
plunging them into the elastic
of their trousers, ready for battle.
Then the swashbuckling begins,
arrghing to the right, kapowing to the left,
as bits of flaxen twig leap and catch
the sloping afternoon light,
flashing for a moment
before falling.
The girl, who has been watching
and bouncing with delight,
tries to stab a pirate through the heart
and at once a zealous sword strikes her face.
She cries, and the boys move away in disgust

but before she is left to the
loneliness of my lemon tree, I see her brother
stay to stroke her cheek, lightly, for a moment,
so that everything is alright.

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Latest Comments

  • 12 years ago

    by Romeo Naces

    Oh, to be a child once again..even if only in the mind for a fleeting moment..this is very good, Abracadabra.

  • 12 years ago

    by Hellon

    I know I commented and nominated this one before I deleted my account but don't know if you read it so, I'll comment again.

    This was simply beautiful and took me back to a time when children did not need computer games or fancy toys because they still had their imagination. Out in the fresh air all day long and only coming home when their bellies were empty and needed refueling, then...off again for more fun.

    I loved the ending, seemed so fitting for this lovely verse.

  • 12 years ago

    by Dark Secrets

    This made me smile and brought back many memories. I like that it reminds me of what love meant to us and how close we used to be although we fought a lot. I also like the wording and the flow is fantastic... :) Loved it!

  • 12 years ago

    by TJ Arizona Eagle

    Something penned so simple but holds so much meaning. The imagery brought back a lot of memories.As said above, magical

  • 12 years ago

    by silvershoes

    You do know how to paint a picture that's endearing and real with a touch of magic.

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