For us, a space, bounded by what’s playable,
defines the width and breadth of childhood,
its paths, which, though retraceable,

nevertheless are never retractable,
like wings on an animated warplane,
a sheath for tempering juvenile rage.

Let’s place the toy into its proper setting.
To the north and west, unknown yards
beyond impassable roads. To the south,

a lake, and along its eastern strand
a park’s edge becomes a no-man’s land.
Within these borders, all worlds existed.

Beyond these walls, no self persisted.
Teach us now to navigate these haunted airs
by drawing lines escaping at the speed of cares.