We would gather

in groups on playgrounds

one of us saying "okay,

pretend I'm Han Solo and you're Chewie"

and then we'd clamber off wildly

into our tire swing Millennium Falcon

Or across the yard

another one of us would decree

"I'll be the mama and you be the baby"

a delicate nursery tucked in the dirt

under a jungle gym

little roles

mini performances

our own epic films

during recess

in our play

Now when we gather

in theaters and

pretend to be someone else,

they say we are playing a role

And when we make a notes on instruments,

we are playing music

When we step on stage

When we sing ourselves hoarse

When we pick up a paintbrush or marker or pen

we are responding to

the snaggle-toothed muse of the playground

as he calls to us

not to finish our spelling

or memorize our times tables

or stand in straight lines

but to play

To play.

play.

PLAY!