Summer Evenings Turn to Fall
Back when we drank summer through paper soda straws,
we played cowboys and Indians, hiding out in draws
that we imagined wilder. Our hearts beat with fear
of fictional opponents who might be drawing near.
We had no euphemisms for our enemies.
We only knew our fear of them, silent, on our knees.
Little did we know then, during childhood games,
imaginary enemies would assume other names.
No ditch big enough to hide, and no night dark enough.
No more cops and robbers. No more blind man’s bluff.
Strange that in those peaceful times the games we chose to play
were a mere foreshadowing of what is real today.
Back when summer filled our cheeks with melons and with berries,
why didn’t we fill balmy nights with princesses and fairies?
Back when life was summer smooth, we lusted after roughness,
as though we’d gain maturity through violence and toughness.
Feigning valor not yet gained, we knew not that tomorrow
we’d have the fears we’d feigned for real––the terror and the sorrow.
Childhood evenings filled with shouts and laughter interspersed
were in reflection adult games that we just rehearsed.
The picture is my sister Patti and her best friend Karen. Note the saddle placed on the makeshift “horse.”
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Princesses and Fairies were not role models in my childhood but rough and tumble was…interesting concept Ms. Dykstra..
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Of course not. You are still a cowgirl having a great time on horseback.
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Love the picture! 😊❤️
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They were staging a play and this was the horse..Before I cropped the photo, you could see a little boy standing off to the side clapping. He had on one of those beanie hats with points and pins pinned all over it.. Like an illustration of that age.
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Culture? We didn’t play war games. We staged MGM musical’s on Mary’s front porch. Go figure, right?
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That’s what my sister and Karen did!
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Wonderful opening line. I remember a psychology prof saying we rehearse our fears so I think you nailed cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers – kids just assuring themselves that they have what it takes. Love the cheeks full of melon and berries, too.
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