JUMPING INTO SPRING

Rin Tin Tin!
Swallowed a pin!
Went to the doctor
but the doctor wasn't in!

Two girls
two rising and falling
playground pistons
flouncing pigtails and ponytails
between a pair of stoic sisters
cranking the jump rope
weaving the jump rope into
a blurred cocoon
between the snow windrows
and mud puddles

Opened the door!
Fell on the floor!
A that was the end of
Rin Tin Tin!

And the flock of little
mothers' kerchiefed-daughters
sweater-breasted
mitten-winged
recess sparrows
ring ‘round the recess ritual
of early spring

In comes the doctor!
In comes the nurse!
In comes the lady with
the big fat purse!

Someone cackles
Salt & pepper!
And the cadence accelerates

Outgoesthedoctor!
Outgoesthenurse!
outgoestheladywith
thebigfatpurse!