By E. R. Smith
The South Bronx experience. New York circa the 1970’s was my childhood playground. I played in abandoned buildings with my little brother and friends. We didn’t know about serial killers; for that matter we didn’t yet know children could die. Adventure was the name of our day long before Dora the Explorer. Public transportation was dirty, crowded, and colorful. I saw many a graffiti artist compete for best picture. I saw them all as artists. Mattresses were trampolines for the Olympians America has never met. Even then I thought as I watched my friends flip; where’s the committee that chooses participants for the Olympics? I want to see my friends win a medal. Childhood doesn’t understand demographics. Politics were a mystery. We were totally poor and never knew it. Ignorance was all around us and we were blissfully unaware. Knowing what I know now; I still miss my childhood and wouldn’t change a thing.