Hot and Cold Memories

We all walked to school without a care.
We stopped at the store with pennies to share.
Cats and dogs always ran free.
Trees were claimed by them and me.
~
We rode our bikes like we were all nuts.
Our hands and knees came home with cuts.
Bikes had brakes most of the time,
or slowed by sneakers covered in grime.
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Any spot with grass was called a yard.
We swam in places with no lifeguard.
Snowballs were made no matter the cost.
We wore socks on our hands when gloves were lost.
~
We all had to fight every once in a while.
Our moms would yell but dads would smile.
Rooms were shared and sometimes beds,
smelly feet tickling their brother’s heads.
~
Then junior high came and we had to change.
Our hair grew long and our clothes got strange.
Many smoked cigarettes and other stuff.
There were lots of choices but enough was enough.
~
Childhood then ended and the troubles began.
When the problems started most of us ran.
Some now have passed; some did well,
but all fondly remembered though it was hell.

~*~
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A Slap in the Hindsight

When I was just a small boy,
perhaps seven or eight,
I didn’t want to go to bed;
I wanted to stay up late.
~
But when I’d sneak back downstairs,
for some TV and a snack,
my mom would be there waiting.
And boy I’d get a smack.
~
That seems so long ago now,
and my how things progressed.
Slaps have been reconsidered,
now more creatively addressed.
~
The mischief too has waned,
but I still stay up too late.
The TV no longer excites me,
but man the snacks are great.
~
It’s funny what’s remembered,
and how it shapes our thought.
I’ve learned many lessons well;
now glad to be often caught.
~
My mom now long since passed,
her sacrifices never ignored.
I really was a bratty kid,
but at least mom was never bored.

~*~
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Awake

As a child I was longing to see;
those glorious times ahead of me.
The ocean called as did the stars.
Riches I’d have and fancy cars.
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I’d marry a princess, have lots of kids.
I’ll do all the things that mom forbids.
I’d stay up late and eat lots of sweets.
I’ll sleep till noon on soft flannel sheets.
~
Teen years came, dreams went astray.
I dreaded school and my life in every way.
But off I trudged through rain and snow.
Where I was going I didn’t know.
~
Hair grew long and patience grew thin.
Trouble was found, most from within.
The rage was waning by senior year.
My future was waiting tied to a pier.
~
Adventures were had though not for long.
I did some things I knew were wrong.
The hammer fell then back on the street.
Many days traveled to get home and eat.
~
Dad was displeased, mom’s not surprised.
It was about my time to get civilized.
I rode the bus to work at the mill.
The paychecks earned were never to thrill.
~
My life, I thought, was now just a waste.
Decision made poorly and with great haste.
Dreams of the past seemed now far away.
Would the rest of my life be like today?
~
Options getting fewer, debts soon to grow.
Choices are but two, the time’s now to go.
At that very instant dreams came back in view.
As learning from the past will awaken you.

~*~
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I Saw Today

I saw today my baby’s start
Opened her eyes and stole my heart

I saw today her smile at me
We brought her home, safe as can be

I saw today her tucked in bed
Gently leaned over to kiss her head

I saw today my baby weep
Snuggled her gently back to sleep

I saw today my baby eat
Covered from head to little feet

I saw today my baby sit
Till falling over in a giggle fit

I saw today my baby crawl
Tried to escape down the hall

I saw today my baby stand
Holding my finger in her hand

I saw today my baby walk
Then soon after began to talk

I saw today my baby run
Laughing and screaming, having fun

I saw today her surprise art
The wall and it shall never part

I saw today her bruise a knee
Climbed too high and fell from a tree

I saw today her play tattoo
0n her belly, red, green and blue I saw today her find a cat
Opened the door and that was that

I saw today her ride a bike
Though too young to be off her trike

I saw today she learned to swim
Tub’s full, splashes over the rim

I saw today her play a song
Tiny violin with bow so long

I saw today my baby grew
She had to shop for something new

I saw today her off to school
Not holding hands, acting cool

I saw today she was funny
On the coach napping with bunny

I saw today her go to the dance
Just for fun and not for romance

I saw today her drive a car
I hope she doesn’t go too far

I saw today her graduate
Then off to college, she’ll do great

I saw today my baby grown
Off to the city, on her own

I saw today her new career
Making art for people to wear

I saw today she’s just like us
The best of both, with little fuss

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