I was a tomboy who climbed oak trees,
walked barefoot with scorpions,
and played tag with black moccasins.

I dipped tadpoles from the bayou,
kept them in aquariums,
and watched them transform into bullfrogs.

I picked wild blackberries by the quart,
stored them in the fridge to freeze,
and polished my lips with the red ones.

I dried sweat with red and black palms,
walked down to the bayou, sat on the bank,
and drowned my fussy feet in cold water.