Nine

I remember nine

As if it were yesterday

I can hear my friends outside of my window

Say, "Can you come out and play?"

Anna brought a bag of her mama's cooking spoons

So we could dig a big hole, to try to reach China

And get there by early noon

Our imaginations soared on golden wings

Across a sky filled with dreams

Any child could wear a paper crown

And be a king or queen at nine

I remember days of playing without a care

Then coming home with sniffles and clothes hanging off me

With leaves in my hair

Everybody's child belonged to the neighborhood

You could tell your troubles to old Aunt Savannah

Cause she always understood

Running endless through a field

Of emerald green beneath a broad

Open sky

I will treasure all my days when

I was innocent and free at nine

Runnin' and jumpin' and skippin' and laughin'

Rollin' and shakin' and jokin' and hidin'

Mother may I, Simon says, you're it, you spit

Hide and seek, you peeked, no I didn't, yes you did

You're not fair, I don't care, I saw Sammy's underwear

Double dutch, kick ball, hop scotch, bobby socks

Mary Mack all dressed in black

Who is that? Can she play jacks?

I'm the doctor, you're the nurse

Whatchu' mean, I was first

Shovin' and pushin'

cryin' and screamin'

Dreamin' and beamin' and dancin' in a line

You show me yours, I'll show you mine

Ah uh I'm going home it's dinner time... nine