Playground Scuffle

Brody Johnson '21

The boy's body reacted before his mind could think.

His hand swung in a large arcing motion

Wind whistling through his fingers

Bringing it fiercely in contact with the boy's face

It stung; sharp tingling where his palm had struck supple cheek

A flash of doubt and pain swept through his mind

But no. That devil had deserved it.

There he was, standing across the way, silt and embers swirling in his wake

Blazing winds emanated from his small stature

a bewildered scowl ingrained within his brow

The devil brandished his fiery resolve, preparing to return fire

His advancing steps left smoldering footprints

The grass around him was scorched as he passed by

Raising his hand in preparation, he poured all his anger and resentment

Into his burning fist

But at the critical moment, he hesitated

His scorched earth had met that of the boy's, covered in frost,

Unable to be thawed.

Silt stopped in its tracks, embers flickered out,

And the boy's icy glare held the whole world in place.