WHEN I WAS A LAD
There’s many a time I sit and think
of all the pleasures I once had.
Those Halcyon days of long ago
when I was just a lad.
Those happy days where my only thoughts
were of my books and toys.
The trains and cars and building bricks
like all the other boys.
And then at night in a nice warm bed
I indulged an urgent need.
To grab my torch and snuggle down
and read and read and read.
There was never a care about what to wear
my mother saw to that.
It was well patched pants and woollen tops
and my favourite bobble hat.
There was no fuss about designer gear
and the latest football kit.
Just some of my brothers hand-me-downs
And the stuff that mum would knit.
And then when meal time came around
there was no problem what I ate.
I’d sit down to a meal and not get up
until I’d cleaned my plate.
With lot’s of hungry mouths to feed
there was no time for fuss or fad.
We’d all eat the same without a choice.
Except of course for Dad.
Around the house there was lots to do
and I had to do my share.
The tasks were set by Mum and Dad
and to dodge them I would not dare.
And when I think of these kids today.
Who are turning out so sour and sad.
I thank the Lord for those good old days
When I was just a lad.
Author notes
I wrote this piece on the day (thankfully the only one) when one of my 16 y.o. pupils lashed out at me physically. I'm big enough and ugly enough that he did no damage. Except to my peace of mind. This helped me.
Written April 4th, 2004
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1 - 22 of 22
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those were the days ...
and these are them to ... the choice is ours to pick and choose! I so enjoyed your poem and it took me right back there with you and resembled the values I was brought up with as well. Very nice, joy
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I must confess that this is one of my favourites for recitation. With a pause before the third line in the third stanza I can usually count on half the males in the audience to get the wrong idea
Jim
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Those were the days eh?
Jim -
i, myself, am a kid, but i totally agree with you....this is sheerly a beautiful poem, it's really warming....you should check out some of my poems, i think you'd like them....:]
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Thanks for your comments. They add interest.
I was lucky to be in a real home with good parents and 4 (reasonably) good brothers. Yes we had the knocking radiators and I can say from personal experience that they were harder than my head! I fell onto one. Ouch!
I think there were a few rebel kids but most parents new how to handle them TLC with teeth. Just like a cat and kittens.
Jim S -
It's all true
I have two knee replacements from 18 years of working with physically agressive teen age delinquents (the old fashioned word will do). Yo sabe. If you were in a British home, you would have had the constant odor of porrige being warmed. My mother knit alot of sweaters too. Repulsive and aggressive children did not dominate the system back then. They seemed to suddenly disappear after a certain point. Well, you described it all accurately. Did you have steam heat back then with the big radiators that knocked? I did a 3 year stint in a military school in Texas. I don't remember one instance of a student threatening a teacher. Thanks for bringing some of this back.
Edited on Jul 08, 8:04 p.m. because ''. -
Funily enough, although it is all true, I don't remember it as particularly hard. We didn't have a lot but didn't expect a lot. Dad was invoved with a children's charity and so we knew there were others a lot worse of than we were. I guess I was lucky.
Jim S
BTW I'm now Chairman of that same charity! Please take a look
www.cinderellaclub.org/ -
Great poem.
Wonerful poem. It flowed perfectly, and I feel like I know what it was like growing up with you, and though I'm sure it was much harder than my growing up, it makes it all seem more rewarding, with successful outcome. That poem was very cool. -
Thanks Michelle. Glad you liked it. My mum squirms when I read it at folk clubs but she has her own copy.
I'm glad you wrote flows off the tongue. I do think poetry should be spoken. I get some funny looks when I read it on trains. Folk must think I haven't learned to read without moving my lips!!
What do you mean "for a girl". Don't give into that stereotyping. I used to knit and sew when I was a lad. Even in the Air Force I sewed the badges on the uniform myself. If you can do it and you enjoy it go ahead. I believe that anyone who makes a judgement from such trivialities doesn't know you and doesn't deserve to.
Jim S -
excellent
Jim,
This is marvelous! Perfect pitch! This poems just flows right off the tongue. Oh I have much to learn. Yes, those were the days weren't they. Even when those of us who were lucky enough to have a TV we stayed outdoors. Our toys were not made with sounds that took the place of our imaginations! And hey, for a girl, I make pretty good car engine sounds too! Gosh! If I even looked like I was dreaming of raising a hand to my teacher my dad would killed me! We come from a different time my friend.
~Michelle~
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Thanks for your kind words Robin. I know you are not afraid to condemn so praise from you is doubly welcome.
I am constantly reminded of a misquote I liked "Mighty Oafs from Little Infants grow. So I just keep trying to provide the right compost to make them grow right. And if that doesn't work then perhaps they should be covered in genuine, organic, home grown compost if you follow my drift.
Jim S -
I liked this poem a lot Jim, and can empathise.
The fact that a child should even THINK about hitt6ing his teacher dusgusts me, and makes me want to KILL children!
I inherited 2 boys when I remarried, and one is in prison for a long time for nearly killing someone (he's 21), the other we've just kicked out (he's 18) because we're sick of him stealing money to buy drugs.
The latter would not be seen dead in clothes that are not "designer". His jumpers cost more than I pay for a suit - and he's never even THOUGHT about working. If his hair grows to a quarter of an inch, he won't go out, and calls himself a tramp. What is it with kids wanting to be bald? I just don't understand it.
When we were young, only people in menatal hospitals were bald!
R -
Thanks for your comment. At the moment you are as old as I feel. Have you given me 10 of those years?
Jim S -
Thank You manicmuze. I'm glad you liked it.
Jim S -
TO Iamaparadox,
No! don't shut up please. Just think first.
Thanks for your kind words.
Jim S -
Cute. Ugh!
But thanks for your comments I know you were being kind. It's just that a grumpy old man like me hates being called cute.
Jim S -
This was nicely writen. Usually they're boring.(old people say the same things). I'm old now , 63...So now I enjoy these poems. hahaha. Great job
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Great rhyme and meter in this, very good flow and sound. A poem just packed with memories of childhood... very enjoyable to read. Nicely done,
~ Wendy
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"And when I think of these kids today.
Who are turning out so sour and sad.
I thank the Lord for those good old days
When I was just a lad. "
dude i hate to be a hipocrite cause i can ocassionally be one of those overly emotional douchenozzels at times but I AGREE WITH YOU! angsty teens need to shut up and be greatful.
And I am going to take my own advice!
Thanks for this poem i love it! -
Hey! I resent that! lol this was way cute, you did an awesome job. kids in this generation are way way way spoiled. like my dads girlfriend's son; he is the most disgusting child ever, he is seven and just poured his own drink for the first time last week! how gross! lol well i utterly and totally agree with you.
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Thanks for your comment. I am glad my stuff can cross the gender as well as the generation border.
Jim S -
the last verse is so true, still being a teenager but wathing my little sisters and brothers and seeing how they demand around and do what they want i know what you mean
this is a really good write and i enjoyed reading it.
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