In My Day

In my day we ran outdoors to play
Mud pies, sand pies, ill fated water fortresses and swings
Waxed sliding boards and gliders, pretending we had wings
Pump the swings high then jump off and fly
Then roll, roll, roll down, and down the soft hills we'd go
Then gleefully run back and swing until we had our fill
And then off to dinner we'd go and race outside soon after
Climbing up and down hills the small and the steep
Or climbing mailboxes to sit aloft, a powerful position to keep
Rulers of the neighborhood, the world was ours
Fantasies play acted stretched on for hours and hours

In my day I studied ballet
Leotards and tights and flat pink slippers
Pointed toes and turned out heels, careful, no trippers!
Raise those kneecaps, heads up, arms rounded
Releve, demi-plies, then grand plies and stay grounded
Chasse, pas de bourree, chasse stretch arms away
Pique turn pique turn, arabesque, fourth position stay
Bar exercises then floor exercises made for a challenging hour every Saturday

In my day we danced and sang in yearly recitals
Went to ball games, roller rinks, and ice rinks
Father/daughter dinners where attendance was socially vital
May processions for the Blessed Virgin where we stood seemingly for hours
We attended and sang at eighth grade graduation
I wore my first pair of nylons and three inch high heeled  shoes
With fear and high expectations we wished grade school adieu