We tossed darts at one another,
lobbing them across a small creek
behind the neighbour’s house.
Mostly we missed by a mile.
But sometimes the aim was good,
causing the other to have to move.
In the opening credits of the TV series, Kung Fu,
Caine deftly dodges throwing stars, sticks and spears.
Wade and I wanted to be like him, deftly dodging darts.
My aim was particularly true one time.
Wade waited until the last possible moment to move.
I give him credit for not taking it in the chest.
We both stared bewildered at the dart imbedded in his hand.
Should we try to remove it? Nah, said Wade.
He shrugged and walked home to show his dad.
My own father asked me about a missing dart from the basement
where he had his dartboard. I knew Wade wouldn’t give it up.
It was his souvenir. So, I shrugged. No idea, Dad.