My Little Girlfriends

My Little Girlfriends

My return to the windmill with

the red door was most exciting

Remembering my childhood

summers with fondness

Three months out of the year

I could play with mutual friends

Boisterous Games outdoors

where I was not scolded

Wearing blue jean fabric

and dirty messy shirts

Mother indeed was fooled

when I returned with clean

Rarely worn cute girlie clothes

they usually hung on hangers

in the back of the closet

except on Sunday for church

My girlfriends taught me how

to keep my long hair neat

That was easy as I wore hats

Boy caps! My Mother

Never would approve

I must keep my hair tidy

else Mother would take me

to the smelly salon and

have it cut and styled

My girlfriends also taught me

how to keep my nails short, clean

I rubbed cream on my hands

nightly to keep the softest skin

The brothers of my girlfriends

were quite polite with words

as their sisters would report

if any word was too sharp

for me, the girl visitors ears

They would have a long

Talk with their parents

I hope I get to see some

of my summer girl friends

It is a long time coming

I miss them very much

©Julia A Knaake