I remember those long, cold, wintry seasons as children we spent;
snowflakes falling softly around us, the frozen icicles would present
a sudden desire to knock them down and eat them, although
we didn’t always have time, running to school in knee-deep snow.
Lazy summers were spent playing baseball in the yard with Dad;
he was the coach of the neighborhood, and it was the best fun we ever had!
He walked with me on his shoulders when the car wouldn’t start, and I was glad,
because we were going to the circus - nothing was more important than that!
And Mom would come and watch us, swimming in the pool,
but only if we did our chores and followed the golden rule.
Like everyone in our town, we tried to do what was right;
the rewards were simple, but they gave us sheer delight.
Like riding my new PF Flyer across the river’s bridge for a soda pop,
but only if I practiced getting along with the other kids on our block.
I felt the deepest love on Sunday morning, singing “The Old Rugged Cross,”
and childish joy, riding in the car along winding river road's bed of moss;
as our clowning Dad would zanily turn the wheel of the Buick toward the river,
Asking “Which way do I turn, right, or left?” Laughingly, we'd shriek and shiver!
And our Mom told us, “He can juggle bowling pins and tennis balls,”
saying, “He once put on a show for us," but I was too young to remember it all.
In those good ol’ days, we sometimes stopped for candy or ice cream, going home,
and the peace and joy at Christmas time brought happy smiles to everyone.
We built our strength of character picking apples, raking leaves, and shoveling snow;
they had a plan and worked it hard, teaching us the way in which way to grow.
Their plan was fine, we thought we were only having fun, we didn’t even know.
The love we felt at our house was always a healthy, happy glow...
I'll never forget those exciting sleigh rides in the packed snow down the hill,
and the tantalizing cookies Mom would bake, but she hid from us until
homework was done and school clothes changed, then snacks with milk, we wouldn't spill.
Sometimes we dipped apples in the gooey caramel mess my older sister made,
and I loved to sit in the willow tree, reading books in Michigan's gentle shade.
Peaceful joy and merriment at our house was without a second thought,
and I sincerely mean it when I say I really miss those days of love a lot!
So Thank You Mom, and Thank You Dad, for always being there for us -
the happiness you both have given me, you would have never guessed!
Especially in retrospective perspective of our adults lives’ happenings;
sibling rivalries, questionable social spheres, and other legendary trappings.
You both bring back the best memories to my mind, and still my heart skips a beat,
as my heartstrings wind their way back to my childhood home on Henry Street.
Author notes
This is a true story of my growing up with my real
family in Flint, Michigan (a suburb of Detroit). My
dad is my stepdad, who raised me and five siblings.
In a list
A contest entry
- Stream Of Consciousness Quickie Contest- 10 Entries/ 10 Minutes. by Mercury Rising.
600 points, ended July 26, 2007, 9 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - My Home Town by Amera.
2550 points, ended August 23, 2007, 19 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments?
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Wonderful imagery
"We built our strength of character picking apples, raking leaves, and shoveling snow;they had a plan and worked it hard, teaching us the way in which way to grow.Their plan was fine, we thought we were only having fun" You have this wonderful talent of not only describing the joy in what you see, but you take us along for the ride. Thank you!
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Wow this is excellent writing. Reading this poem made me feel like I was actually living it. Bravo !! It also reminded me of the good old days. LOL!! "Keep on writing and may your pen never run dry" Peace Be With You Judy
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Oh my! A lot of work went into this. At first glance, I thought it was prose but with the wonderful meter and rhyme, it is a beautiful poem. Well done!
Love,
Amera ♥
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Wow!!
Love the Journey You take the reader on and Honored to have felt the memories come alive as if there
Bless Your Heart for sharing Your Family
Congratulations on Your Trophy win
Woooooooo hooooooooooooooo
Beautiful images that Touches Spirit deep!
Love this!!
Many blessings to You
Best wishes too
and much love~ Desire~*~
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Ahhhh, congrats on the Golden Shiney! This was a wonderful read and you always put your heart and soul into your work...ok, your heart and soul goes into "this" work ha! Excellent penning!! ~Tia
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P.F. Flyers!
Wow now this brought back so many memories. Visions of childhood friend. Catching snowflakes on our tongues. Boy how I see it all. Wonderful were those days
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Congrates On The Gold,
Love this in all ways, I dream so much of all my yesterdays, they bring me personally better thoughts, and I can recall such pureness within my youthfulness. Thanks for sharing sis, you have skills, pen on sweet soul. Love bro Timothy~
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Thank you!
Timothy, I'm so glad you stopped in today to read my "letter" to my folks. My dad was really my step-dad, but he was always like a real dad to us and is still one of the best fathers a kid could ever have. I was really surprised this poem won the gold!! I can really brag to my dad now, and he'd be proud (he's the one that taught me to read and write before ever going to school)... now I'm bragging, but it's true... My mom passed away a few years ago, but I felt her presence in this as I wrote it. Writing poetry is a therapeutic way to grieve, I suppose. Thanks again Tim, I can always tell when comments are sincerely from the heart (like yours are), and I'm glad to have you as my brother!!! Peace and love, Cyn
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this was a brilliant write and full of creativity and wonderful words. i loved the imagery and emotions put into it. well done and best of luck
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Thank you!!!!
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Amazing
Bravo! This was a really brilliant, delightfully nostalgic piece of cascading creativity. Just what the doctor ordered. Best of luck in my contest, and thanks for entering this terrific tumble of frolicking fun and rollicking rememberances.
David
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Thank you!!!!
WOW - Thank you so much for the gold trophy, I believe this is the best surprise I've seen in a long while here on AP!!!! Peace and love, Cyn 
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