Hide-n-Go Seek
by Jason Kirk Bartley
“Hide-n-Go Seek” read by Jason Kirk Bartley.
When I was a little boy,
about the age of five or six,
I’d hide my eyes, and count to twenty,
giving the other little boys and girls time to hide —
I always gave them plenty.
Promising and trying not to peek,
which was a cardinal sin,
they all scattered right when I told them,
“When!”
Some went north, some south,
some east, and west,
some ran with their hands covering their mouths, trying to hide;
each one thought their hiding spot was the best.
They giggled as they tried to hide
where they would not be spied and not be found.
They tried to hide away from the barking hound.
Some were easy to find, but others were hard
because they broke the rules and went outside the yard.
My big yard had many tall trees …
I thought I just heard someone sneeze!
I used my instinct and natural skills
of listening for any giggles
behind the trees,
and I moved slowly as if I were in
the tortoise and the hare race,
searching for a peeking face,
to no avail!
I knew this yard very well …
So, I searched and searched behind the shed
‘cause I heard some rustling of the leaves up ahead.
Someone took off sprinting and fled,
giving up his hiding spot up ahead!
I went the other way,
trying to guard my haven of rest.
He darted for the base;
I hurdled an old wheelbarrow in the way — I tried my best,
hoping to tag him on this day, as I was in a foot race.
Then others began to reveal themselves …
they were like Ewoks in Star Wars among the trees.
They all took off running toward the base.
I had to decide which one to tag;
I had to save some face.
But there’s always that one who trips and falls —
easy prey for me on this day.
Whoever was tagged became “it,”
‘till shadows ruled the yard and it became moonlit.
Then a child’s dad or mom would call them home,
until I was standing all alone.
So I’d give it up for another day,
‘till they’d want to gather again and play.
About the Poet
Jason Kirk Bartley resides in Ohio. He is 50 years of age. He is married to his forever love and wife, Nila. He loves each and every one of you and wants you to be blessed. He has a Master’s degree in ministry from Ohio Christian University in Circleville, Ohio. He has won many awards and been published in various places. God bless you all.
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Image is in the Public Domain.
