Eager Fall

Chill lay like a blanket
Over the greening grass
and fading trees
The train calls long and slow
Out over the dark
Early morning travelers
fade though the early morning

Around the Clock

The Jumping Bean and I have been playing card games and solving puzzles together. Being seven is a new world for both of us. When I taught JB how to play Around the Clock solitaire (also known as "clock" and "clock patience"), I remembered playing it when I was about his age.

What games do you remember from childhood? What sounds, smells, or sensations do you remember when you played them?

 

 

 

'Round the Clock

 

Twelve o'clock Three

Three o'clock Seven        Seven o'clock Nine

Nine o'clock Queen        Twelve o'clock Six

Six o'clock King

 

A Jack winks on a dirty floor

Dishes in the washpan

Snakes in the outhouse

Grandma's musty comfort

 

Eleven o'clock Ace

One o'clock Four       Four o'clock Five

Five o'clock Ten       Ten o'clock Ace

One o'clock King

 

Cards slick and

Worn dull on the edges

King to the bottom

I want to win.

Ace

 

One o'clock Nine

Nine o'clock

 

Time to go.

Put the cards away.

 

Nine o'clock eight

Eight o'clock two

Two o'clock six

 

I want to win

Almost there

 

Six o'clock king

 

"Now, Julia."

 

Cards scooped up

Spades and diamonds facing

Hearts and puppy dog feet

Or were they teddy bear feet?

 

Dashed and angry

I lost again

 

And discovered

the last ace was missing

there was no winning,

I played anyway