Shari Lynn Foster

Shari Lynn Foster Poems

The Best Poem Of Shari Lynn Foster

Making Mischief

Making Mischief


I once ate flakes of fish food
Isn't that the silly things kids do?
I rode dirt bikes, and climbed trees
Eating candy until I could puke
Swimming all day and dreaming all night
Laughing and being mischievous
Oh how mischievous I was!
I made mashed potato balls, oven fresh
And threw them at passing cars, and
Sometimes eggs - they hit home occasionally
Once the passerby had his window open
What a mistake for him on that hot day
I watched from behind the curtain as he crossed
Back and forth down the street
Long streaks of yellow on his lapel
I wonder if he thinks back on this now
With the laughter of the child still inside
He wasn't laughing then
I collected money for girl scouts. I wasn't one.
That cash took me to the movies. What a day!
I was twelve when I steered my dad's fishing boat
Down the Delta - I rescued a family from the banks
Leaving their stalled craft on the shore. It was too
Many people in my small vessel - it sank
With the waves that crested the bow
It was a good day for a swim - I'm sure
There was never a rescue finer than that!
I hope they think fondly on that memory
I do. I ran off down the levy leaving them behind
Meeting up with them again on the way back, father
In tow. Sorry! They were not amused.
I don't know why. I still Am.
I'm older now. More serious. My shenanigandry
Almost dried up with the weightiness of life.
I could have let it die - most do
But then last year I went on a cruise
I noticed the drink labels were magnets
Imagine how surprised the guests were to get
Lemonade instead of tea, and vice versa
I just sat and watched and laughed
They didn't seem to know what to do about it
And that is the best part. Watching which will emerge
In that moment - the child or the adult - it's a mixed
Bag. People are funny - even when they
Don't know it - especially then - In that split
Second when they reach deep and you don't know
Who will show up. I am always hoping for the child.
Full of wonderment and delight. I want to
Bring people back to that - that freshness
That vitality - the joy of Living - Playing.
I slid behind a panel in the front of the ship.
It was all glass and me - KING OF THE WORLD -
I thought - Surely someone other than me has done this?
As the panel below me suddenly rumbled and shook
I flew out in great fear! There was a group of guests
And a guide all staring at me - and me them.
I had been leaning against the view box
For the captain's station below - who knew?
There they were, on a tour, and me, suddenly
Appearing from NoWhere - NowHere!
I was an apparition! Oh The Joy!
I am always amused at people's reactions.
No one said a word!So I just joined their tour.
What a treat - I didn't even have to pay!
I have no fear of shame. I Am Bold like that
47 now - my how it's flown - and me flying
But I still play like a child - I always will
I hope you too Live your Life like that.
Rushing boldly towards death with no remorse
All the way till the end - Making Mischief.

Shari Lynn Foster Comments