Middle School Games

Merry-go-round and giant-strides,
one sat on, one gripped in hand,
more precarious but higher rides,
as feet pumped ground, whirl high, and land.

The merry-go-round could be a seat,
where silly pre-teen games were played,
post office, off limits, no skills to meet,
with no opposition the piper paid.

But, Truth or Consequences, there's the one;
with some knowledge, it makes sense.
A bit of daring adds to the fun,
when the winner chooses consequence.

Does she dare miss the answer? She can choose.
Would the opponent guess the miss?
Would the challenged one, should she lose,
be required to bestow a kiss.

Her favorite memories, were it told,
how she doubted it made no sense,
when she bestowed it, shy but bold,
her first kiss--she denied it--consequence.

The whispered secrets, told someday,
she shared when, girlish, she would choose;
favorite memories, she would say,
"Sometimes it's not so bad to lose."