There was always an area cleared of grass
where we could play with our Tonka Trucks
large yellow trucks with big black wheels
dump trucks, bull dozer and back hoe.
Joe always got the back hoe
it had the most moving parts
and because he was the oldest he had first choice.
I liked the dump truck, it allowed me to haul
dirt from this pile to that one, always interacting
with the other trucks. Chuck liked the bull dozer
and Bob, by default, got the broken pick-up truck.
We played out there for hours
creating a playground from mud and sticks
building a hillside for a housing track.
The younger brothers kicked the ball
while my sisters played dolls inside.
I preferred the big boys’ toys.
Today the trucks are made of plastic
not as durable as the originals
teaches the kids hard work is too hard
never adequately getting the job done.
Rubber balls have also been downgraded
wobble before their first bounce
and all the dolls are preadolescent sex objects.
Tonka trucks gave way to Angry Birds
indoor play with kids hunched over electronic screens
not building things but simulated war play.
Life changes and we change with it
what is important shows up in our play
decisions made without realizing those choices
will develop skills to create a future we chose.
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