A Time From Long Ago

My 1954 innocent youth was in a state
of confusion when older lads talked
about a visit with a pretty young lady
and the word ‘screw’ entered the
conversation, their winks noticeable in
the evening light, not realizing they
meant a girl, twelve as I, awaited
in the shadows and not understanding
quickly returned to the game of
‘kick-the-can’ in a field of fun with other
kids, wondering later about that word
knowing we had a boxful in momma’s
junk drawer in the kitchen, and having it
explained before the night was complete
during ‘tucked in’ time and my new
knowledge captured by the lure of breasts
and other mysterious possibilities.

© Richard L. Provencher

First Published Spring 2009
A Hudson View Poetry Digest
International Collection 2009
Volume 4 Number 1 - Purely Poetry