Playmates Poem by Della Perry

Once, she tied the lad from across the street
To the cherry tree with a skipping rope
Until he cried for freedom, we laughed,
I didn't want to laugh but I did,
We urged the timid black dog
To bite his trouser legs
The dog didn't really want to, but he did.
When she set the boy free
She coaxed him into her shed to play nicely
Where she made him sit on the bench, eyes shut,
She whispered, 'Do this! '
I pretended to cry out as she
Pretended to hit my bottom with her Dad's belt.
When she told him to open his eyes
I rubbed my bottom and thighs
Looked down at the floor sadly.
His turn came
She hit him for real
He cried out in agony
That silver belt buckle was sharp
Shocked I opened my eyes to watch
Slightly sickened
But also macabrely interested as he writhed in fear
She smiled all the time, unflinching
And winked at me.
When I got home later
I knew I wouldn't be playing with her ever again and neither would the boy.