Back Then.

The sweat beads slowly glisten across my forehead
as i plop down on my bed under the window
a light breeze sinking in through the screen
and the birds lightly chirping a sweet lullaby.
I close my eyes as my heart beat calms
and i am in the body of a five year old
in her water wings and drenched shoulder length hair
laughter seeping out through her innocent lips
as her brother sneaks up behind her
and dumps a bucket of ice cold water over her head
and she screams and pants as she chases after him
sliding along the wet grass
not a care in the world for the grass stains on her knee caps
that her mother is going to have to scrub to get out later
all that is on her mind is revenge.
And as she lifts the hose over her head
she aims for her target and shoots
drenching him from head to toe and loving every minute of it
as her mom walks out and calls their names
and hands them a nickel each
with the ice cream truck song blurring in the background
and children's laughter reunites at the door to the truck
and as she orders her ice cream the sun beams down on her shoulders
as they turn a light red under the summer sun
and she feels the sticky treat running down her hands and forearm
melting under the scorching heat
and as she finishes it off...it is back to play
not a care in the world as she dances to her own beat
and sings to her own melody.
And as the day blurs out and the night fades in...
i am taken back to eleven years later..
lying in my bed with a teddy bear gripped close to my heart.
the little girl still alive in me just begging to come out and play.
and as i hush her sweet laughter with my falling tears
she tells me everything will be alright
and reminds me that i am doing this for her.

© Jenna Elphick
August 3 2006.