Bruised Knees

You can be sure
Summer is here
When children
Have bruised knees

Six on the left knee
Three on the right
Tanned skin
Dirty fingernails
Tired eyes
Happy smiles

How did you get them
I ask
Dunno
He shrugs
Unconcerned in his youth

Memories surface
Of days long passed
Tumbling in the dirt
Stringy hair
Caught in my mouth
And bony knees
Speckled with dark bruises

©2014 Jill Baker