Structures swarming with kids
Little kids dashing in, out, through, under splashing water
Bright splashes of colour: hats, shirts, shoes, shorts
Shrieks, yells, laughs, cries, animated discussions loud on the wind
From my three loudest of all
Timid ones on the fringes
Loners happy in sand construction
Daredevils swinging loose from the top
Others drunk from endlessly soaring swings
Instant friends, crazy unrepeatable games
Parents on benches, at tables, on blankets
Shading under roofs, beside trees
Phone playing or talking in self-made isolation
Long suffering grandmas little ones pulling in to play
Babies sleeping in strollers, jounced on hips, drooling snacks
Dad doing Tai Chi much interrupted
Mom friends deep in conversation together
Couples doting on first child's play
Hawk-eyed guardians hovering
Mom-managed play limits: none at all or constant correction
Languages I understand
Languages I recognize
Languages I can't quite place
Eliciting curiosity, longing, planning
Stirring the world-traveller in me
Reminding of many places of play
Where our language was the other
Our childcare different
Living life an adventurous challenge
Feeding the longing to go again
Bubbling up gratitude and wonder
Such privilege and richness!
Playgrounds aplenty
Well-kept, sound, safe
Casual public play
Building awareness of world change
Mixed kids jumbled together without thought
Mixed couples no longer rare
4-5 languages weaving together casually
On Canada's playgrounds
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