Evening Play

There's a chill in the air as the sun sets.
Hidden behind the clouds,
it gives just enough light
for parents to chase their children
across the playground.

Up the netting
down the slides
kick the sand as
they swing higher
ever higher

until darkness starts to creep in.
The wails of "Five more minutes"
don't have the wished for results.

One more time up the monkey bars
jump down and
race to the car.
Homeward bound as the moon takes its place.

Grouchy claims of "I'm not tired"
quickly turn to yawns
and finally sleep.

Goodnight, goodnight.
Until the morning,
goodnight.

© Elizabeth Cordes 2012

Together

A warm breeze crosses her face,
the smell of exhaust is not
completely unpleasant.
The engine is almost too loud to speak over.

They don their helmets
and lower the visors.
She perches on the seat behind him
and leans forward.
Her arms circle his waist.

She can picture the smile on his face
as he turns his head in question.
She gives a nod and an extra squeeze
as answer.

He bounces on the seat once
twice
rolls forward
and then they are off.

Their hearts beat faster
as the trees and fields whiz by
in a blur of greens and tans.

The warmth between them,
her breast pressed against his back,
connects them.
They become one
as they speed down the country roads.

© Elizabeth Cordes 2012