Growing up in a family of eight,

never a dull moment, playing
in the sprinklers, laying out
under the stars, finding the Big Dipper
for the first time.
Friends corralling in the middle
of the street, yelling Red Rover
Red Rover, let Linda come over,
it was always hot and muggy,
but who cares? That’s what sprinklers
are for, and swimming pools,
and standing in front of water coolers,
letting the cool breezes blow
against bare skin.
It wasn’t all fun and games,
The yelling from the garage
when Daddy pulled in to park
and someone’s bicycle was thrown
down in the parking spot,
someone who was in a hurry
to go inside and pour a glass of lemonade,
someone who didn’t know our father
couldn’t control his temper,
someone who didn’t live with the fear
that comes from living with a father
who cursed and bellowed,
someone who never felt the fury
of his fists upon your face,
someone with a father who could love.