A Day To Use Our Sidewalk Chalk
A Day To Use Our Sidewalk Chalk
I. Sidewalk Chalk
The evening found us out in our small yard
to sit crosslegged on our concrete walk
to play with color and enjoy a talk
about the joy of our picture postcard.
A pastel array of Crayola chalk
in front of us lined up like a rainbow
the perfect scene to start our color show
a time to let the color be our talk.
When springtime melt had drained into the soil
our sidewalks dry into a chalky white
the children spend their days in yard, outside.
I place our sidewalk chalk inside a pail
where each Dollar Store stick is within sight
to let imagination lead as guide.
II. Colors of the Rainbow
In evening when I return from my work
the sunshine of a yellow sunsets still
a drawing I can see from window sill
a calmer tonic found within artwork.
To carry dinner out into backyard
to join my son who sits to start Rainbows
he asks me where the Rainbow color goes
then gives me hugs and whispers that he’s tired.
To go to bed with memories on my lips
of colored powder flying in your hair
and dreams of summer days on this sidewalk.
To glance upon our chalky fingertips
while kneeling on the ground under the glare
just ground and us and multicolored chalk.
III. Simple Creation
On Saturday morning when I will mow
my unruly lawn with dandelion
the sidewalk design looks slightly Mayan
in morning sun the pastel seems to glow.
The tedium of chores is broken down
on smiles that linger on a sidewalk face
my worlds become a new exotic place
and I the king with silver chalk made crown.
So small but vast this simple creation.
What change these colors make upon our lives.
How do we forget these sidewalk drawings
when time removes this certain narration?
Through time this chalky pastel act survives
a favorite of our summer belongings.
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How fun it is to draw on the sidewalk with chalk. This creates nice memories. Well done, Jamie.
Thank you Phyllis. Jamie