v. the porch bed

it was respectable
to flop onto the porch bed
after a grueling summer day's activity
legs buckling from the strain of waterski, swim, bike,
volleyball, repeat, repeat, repeat


you were the coveted spot
the afternoon nap with waves and breeze
whispering through the screens
how many years of childhood
spent tearing up the lawn
dripping and yelping in delight
only to fall
silent
in line with the edge of the house
knowing you were there
and that you were occupied by a slumbering
grandmother
a most fearful creature,
neither to be awoken nor approached


strange, now,
to be allowed to walk
in the front door
sopping wet and grinning
but to go around back instead,
carefully, quietly,
peeing in to see if you are
still there