Girlhood is Formed on the Playground with an Invitation to Play Double Dutch
by Autumn Schraufnagel
There is a girl with loose braids,
peaking fuchsia bra straps,
sticky smacker lips,
perched lazily on a hot bench.
Give her time, anytime at all,
and she will show you the ropes,
show you the rhythm
and the way to weave body
through quick whipping cords,
lace tangled hair into knots,
blow bubbles ‘til they pop.
Giggle and grow
bound to the run and the ropes
coming so fast
striking so hard
you hear,
swear you see,
sparks.
Don’t stop now she says,
Jump