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Riding the Reptile with Amy at Jungle Jim's Water Park
by
Patricia L. Goodman


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Nana, will you ride the Anaconda
                             with me?
My seven-year-old granddaughter
                             looks up at me,
imploring. My feet are abraded—
                             too much sand;
my replaced hip protests—
                             tumbled in the surf;
my neck and back ache—
                             strange bed.
What will I teach her if I say
                             I hurt too much?
Of course, I reply and off we go—
                             7 and 70
lumbering up the rough concrete ramp
                             to stand
in line, maneuver into the yellow,
                             two-person raft,
fly down the roaring,
                             narrow chute
and after blind swoops and freezing splashes,                  
                             blast
through the open jaws of the giant snake,
                             hands aloft and squealing.
 

 

© by Patricia L. Goodman.
Used with the author’s permission.

 
 


Patricia L. Goodman is a widowed mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who lives in Delaware. She is a retired horse breeder and teacher and now enjoys singing, gardening, writing, spending time with her family, and she has recently become involved with musical theater. Patricia is the author of three books: Closer to the Ground (Main Street Rag), Walking with Scissors (Kelsay Books) and, most recently, Unbridled (Kelsay Books).

 


Post New Comment:
Jo:
You are a fantastic Nana. I really like this poem. I agree with Kevin about the last line.
Posted 08/02/2013 05:41 PM
nancilee:
Love this poem. It makes me sorry I didn't go to Sun Splash with my granddaughters (twice!) and thus missed that valuable time with them.
Posted 08/02/2013 09:56 AM
paradea:
I would lay down my life for my grandchildren and you do...in the mouth of a giant anaconda!! I love this. Thanks for a wonderful poetic portrayal of us grandparents.
Posted 08/02/2013 08:45 AM
KevinArnold:
Wonderful last line, perfect.
Posted 08/02/2013 08:28 AM
erinsnana:
I love this poem, and, yes, you are a great Nana!
Posted 08/02/2013 08:02 AM
Don Rossano:
After the tears of recognition have cleared what is there to say but 'more anacondas please!'
Posted 08/02/2013 07:40 AM
Havenwood:
The things we do for those we love! A fun read and write!
Posted 08/02/2013 07:25 AM
gigi:
You are a great Nana. This nana holds the line at Scrabble and Chess. Now I know what I've missed.
Posted 08/02/2013 04:39 AM


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