Short Stories & Poetry

Simon Says (NaNo Day 5)

When I was little
me and my brother would play this game
'Simon Says'
hours of fun for our
young minds.

I can remember a time
in a friend's garden on
the trampoline
'Simon Says,' we shouted.
'Simon Says jump up and down!'
And we'd bounce.
up-down, up-down, up-
Down.
Naomi fell off the trampoline.
The shock and then-
the laughter.
'Get up!' I'd cried,
and she had.
And she lost, for I didn't
say Simon Says.

I remember times in
my shared room with
my brother. Sat on
the top bunk; his bunk.
What a
treat for me that was
rainbow canopy
above my head and
nevermind what's below.
'Simon Says cover your ears,' he said
and I did.
I was oblivious to all in the world
but his silently mouthed words,
rocked to sleep by his kindness
so that I never heard a sound.

Innocent ways on summer days
grass-stained fingers from
feeding the chickens
rope-burned hands from
the swing.
'Simon Says push me higher!'
And he would.
It was our little game
both wild and tame
just two kids passing their time.

Now, it plays out differently.
I play it alone,
dancing on my toes around
The family I am left with.
I tell myself to do
each action I take
each choice I make,
keeping the tradition going.
I have learnt to cover my own ears
to the roar.
This game has become how I function.

And I tell the world
that life will get better.
Maybe it never works
because I forget to use
the critical words.

'Come stay with me!' my brother says now
through the screen.
There's an understanding
in our eyes
that says more than we ever would
Ever could.
And we both laugh
because it's all we can do
when we both know the truth.

And he didn't say Simon Says.