Return<\/b><\/p>\n
by Marc Mangel<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If only I could return to six<\/p>\n
ah what joy and gladness that would be<\/p>\n
and have the chance to once more live<\/p>\n
and not make the same mistakes you see<\/p>\n
Just small mistakes, no real pains<\/p>\n
No abominable tortures to mar my way<\/p>\n
just simple little slicks in my path<\/p>\n
that quietly and surely slowed my gains<\/p>\n
Once more to breath the air of being<\/p>\n
six and young and free<\/p>\n
to reach the wind that plays delicately<\/p>\n
upon each and every tree<\/p>\n
Or too indeed play delicately with soft<\/p>\n
locks of my first love<\/p>\n
I wonder how and where and why she is not<\/p>\n
and if she, my slender dove,<\/p>\n
does too wish for a return to six (I truly doubt it)<\/p>\n
To return to uninhibited discovery<\/p>\n
and reckless adventure through worlds unknown<\/p>\n
discovery so pure that its joy<\/p>\n
reaps the harvest of a field freshly sown<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ah to return to six and to grow once more<\/p>\n
Through those pains and nonpains of<\/p>\n
what we calla adolescence– or perhaps one big sore<\/p>\n
Perhaps not proper to mention here,<\/p>\n
but that first erection was indeed a surprise<\/p>\n
in the midst of a birthday<\/p>\n
to begin to rise and—<\/p>\n
we’d best not go on in detail<\/p>\n
Or indeed that first shave in itself<\/p>\n
the measure of a boy’s manliness<\/p>\n
that is only a tiny little elf<\/p>\n
And first dates and driving, all those<\/p>\n
too are nice<\/p>\n
but still, still I’d rather pick<\/p>\n
the cracking of the ice<\/p>\n
those years between six and ten<\/p>\n
not the wonder years but rather<\/p>\n
the wondrous years<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And when I’m sixty, perhaps more withered,<\/p>\n
perhaps already rotted<\/p>\n
No doubt I’ll still yearn for six<\/p>\n
for joyous six for sumptuous six for<\/p>\n
free six for sick six for small and big six<\/p>\n
for all that six is or was or<\/p>\n
truly might have been<\/p>\n
for in this life only one thing is forbidden<\/p>\n
and that is the return to<\/p>\n
six<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
May 1973<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Return by Marc Mangel If only I could return to six ah what joy and gladness that would be and have the chance to once more live and not make the same mistakes you see Just small mistakes, no real pains No abominable tortures to mar my way just simple little slicks in my … Continue reading