plastic wheels rumble across
cracks splitting sun-beaten sidewalks
cornfields fade behind like mirages, opening
the vista of red-brick buildings
in the heart of town
i’m eleven, Emily’s twelve
we jingle mismatched allowance change
and crushed baby-sitting dollars, shoved
into our jean shorts pockets for
an afternoon of opportunity
start with comics at Around the Corner Books
scented stickers at the Variety Store
Ahoy Fountain Cokes with every syrup flavor
finish with foosball at Sun’s Arcade
our worlds stretching with possibilities
as our rollerblades rocket us into
more places without parents, still
no doubts we’ll return home
in a small town that watches its neighbors —
finding preteen Freedom.
DVWG Guest Poet Erin Schalk