The train is full of soldiers
returning from the war.
‘It’s the wrong train’ mom says to dad.
Dad rushes for the door.
I try to grasp his fingers
‘Please don’t leave me behind’
Just 3 years old, with tear stained face
moms hand I try to find.
We must have found the right train.
I’m now in Amsterdam
I’m buying a little teddy,
I’ve got pennies in my hand.
I still have that little teddy,
from the market in the square.
He still wears his tattered toupee
that I knitted for his hair.
Strands of wool I chose for him,
then cropped it, soldier style.
His little legs are damaged
My dog chewed them for a while.
They’re encased in little stockings.
Fingers, from a rubber glove,
hold his war torn legs together,
nursed back to health with love.
I take him from the shelf,
and I’m back there on that train.
Amidst those khaki giants,
as the whistle blows again.
It's amazing how these memories,
come flooding back to me.
Snapshots of my childhood.
When I was only three.
In a list
A contest entry
- ***By AURIELLE***ANYTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where Are The Poets????A QUICKIEEE by Aurielle.
300 points, ended March 16, 2007, 27 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Give Me Your Personal Best (Prewrites Allowed) by aGent Lemon.
360 points, ended March 18, 2007, 44 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - I want your best. by Temprance.
600 points, ended March 20, 2007, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Any thing goes by love me 4 who i am.
330 points, ended April 11, 2007, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Pt2 Calling These Rhyming Story Poets. by Sgt B.
525 points, ended June 1, 2007, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Within A Forgotten Memory by FleetingImage.
500 points, ended August 29, 2007, 28 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - How did you start / Can you remember? Show me ! by tarcus.
600 points, ended January 17, 2008, 33 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - ~ Precious Pearls ( Memories of Childhood ) ~ by everyone1.
525 points, ended September 2, 2008, 14 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - All ages allowed:Memories,write about your strongest memories. by pop123.
525 points, ended September 2, 2008, 17 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Happy Childhood Memories by knitonepearlone.
600 points, ended September 28, 2008, 11 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - What is your earliest memory? by Judith Chandler.
590 points, ended November 2, 2008, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - First Poem I Ever Wrote on AP by PerVirtuous.
900 points, ended August 23, 45 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 22 of 22
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I liked it. Very moving and gives us an interesting perspective on life.
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I like the way you have written this in a somewhat down to earth kind of way. Perhaps as a child, you didn't realize the implications of what was going on. Maybe I'm wrong but, since it was wartime in Holland, the train ride might have had something to do with the war, getting away, etc.
It's touching that you have kept the bear all this time.
Thank you for entering my contest. -
Your imagery is so very well captured in this childhood poem. I felt myself sharing the ride with you. Congratulations on your bronze cup.
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What a well written memory..I feel as tho I could be sitting beside you, and you are just telling.. me!
It's lovely.
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You have captured your memories beautifully in this poem, which I read with fascination. Truly magical, and enhanced by the picture of your lovely teddy.Thanks so much for entering.
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Wow an amazing poem.Good luck thanks for entering.
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I like reading people's first poem they posted on here... And I found this through the "How did you start" contest.
This is such a beautiful poem, to many nowadays, this is just something they might stumble across in a history book, but your poem makes the past vivid and almost touchable...
And I love how this teddy bear kind of symbolizes innocence (?) while still being damaged: "hold his war torn legs together,"
I think this line say so much...
I also think the title fits really well...
Thanks so much for sharing this!
Keep on writing!
Annie
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The intensity of the monent,
held in your young heart---
amazingly, still seen so vividly.
Wonderful!!
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I can almost smell the khaki now.
Such a shame so many were removed from their homes. -
this poem was really strongly written and i loved the way it flowed...good luck
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Excellent
Well done for a well constructed rhyme, with excellent flow.
I wrote a poem recently about childhood thoughts - I happened to be walking along Clifton Ings one Sunday afternoon, near York, where I grew up.
Have the clap again.
NB You can see from the time that I'm an insomniac - I was up at 3am - with silly rhymes going through my head.
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*R**
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Thanx for the memories.
This one was full of nostalgia and I could see your memories with the imagery you had going. I could feel your fear & loneliness and then your peace of mind. Great job! -
this is amazing! it hold so much emotion wo
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Awesome! You do some awesome imagery in this!
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very sweet and just a delight to read. I can relate to having a stuffed toy from childhood. I have passed them all down to my daughter and neices& nephews! thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. keep up the great work. peace and light always, kp
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One can only imagine what you have felt and seen in your life. To be surounded by so many soldiers must have thrilled and terrified. The toys that were made in my childhood were poorly crafted and none survived. You are lucky to have one that is packed with so many memories. I hope all of them are as sweet as this one seemed to be. thank you for sharing this peice of yourself with us.
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A beautiful walk down memory lane
This is lovely. So well written. I love walks down memory lane. Thank you for sharing...
Lady Dragonwyck
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Wow! This was a wonderful and beautiful poem. Those are some memories to have. I am really glad I got a chance to read this poem. Wonderful job with it. Good luck in the contest. God Bless!
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Thank you very much for entering this contest. I may add much more of a comment later on since there are so many other submissions.
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1947
lovely title
this poem was also written very well. I love this write very nicely done
PLease comment bac -
very very well done, beautifully illustrates a poignant childhood memory. the imagery is very intense, very vivid and made for a marvelous read! good luck in the contest!
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Excellent!
This is brilliant, your rhyming is spot on, the poem flows beautifully from start to finish. The title you have chosen is just right. The imagery your words convey is very vivid, anyone going through that particular time will be able to fully understand the emotions that all come out in your poem.
You have done remarkably well with this one, WELL DONE!
Keep up the GOOD work
~Katie~
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