Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

© clipart panda

This week over at Carrot Ranch Charli has given the task of  in 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that involves a children’s game or rhyme. You can create something new or go with something traditional. You can write with a twist, humor, menace or glee. Hop, skip or jump wherever the prompt leads you.

Naturally I immediately thought back to my own childhood and the games that we played. My parents were of an era that thought there were girls games and boys games. My brother was allowed to do all those considered dangerous. He could go off into the countryside on his bike. I wasn’t allowed to have a bike. The most dangerous thing I got to do was walk the fence. This was great fun and gave us both a lot of balance practice as the fence was old and rotten so it swayed dangerously as we walked nimbly on the thin strut that ran along the top. We loved lying in the honeysuckle and sucking on the sweet contents. The vine was so strong we could stretch out as though we were in a hammock.

© irene waters 2015

We also used to play cowboys and indians, with me in the part of Annie Oakley. Tying the baddie to the old chimney was a definite no no. That was far too dangerous, so much so that I ran away from home to avoid the punishment that was going to be meted out to me. This taught me don’t run from home with your hairbrush.

Another of my favourite games was hopscotch. This I played at home and at school, along with knuckles and elastics. Marbles and yo yos I played at home but at school these were the domain of boys. Hula hoops was a great favourite until the school banned them.

© irene waters 2015

Playing Safe

“Mummy. Can I play billycarts at John’s?”

“No Joanie, it’s too dangerous.”

“How about bike riding at Heather’s?”

“No too dangerous.”

“Swimming at Robbo’s?”

“No. His parents are away. Can’t you think of something to play here?”

“How about Hula hoops? “

“Hula hoops are fine.”

Standing at the kitchen window, her arms covered in suds, she watched with joy the two little girls gyrating their hips and arms as the hula hoop spun round. As a blood-red film made the window opaque she lost sight of the girls. She screamed.  She hadn’t thought of the staple that could sever a carotid.

If you want to join in Respond by June 23, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation.Rules are here. All writers are welcome!