Billy Carts and Marbles

Billy Carts and Marbles Yes, we all played marbles when we were just kids, Had a big ‘Tom Bowler’ and a bag full of migs. Held onto your marble with fingers and thumb No fudging allowed, and your eye was the plumb. Picked out your opponent and stayed on the line, Connect with a’ kisser’ that marbles now mine. I also had swappies, a hand full of cards Would take them to school and start bargaining hard. I ‘ll swap you this one, if you swap me that Get a pair or a set, so long as they matched. We all had so many by end of the day Then sort out our stacks, or just put them away. Outside we played hopscotch, a tor we would find Drew lines on the concrete, or dirt, did not mind. Throw into the big squares then, hop up and down On one leg, but out, if your foot touched the ground, Or stood on the lines so we learned how to leap Right into the square, not just fall in a heap. A Billy cart made from old pram wheels and wood Collected from tips, we brought home what we could. With rope we would tie on, to steer the front wheels Attached to the T Bar, would brake with your heels. Then, down the big hill we would really fly fast But if one just fell off, all have a good laugh. On wet days we stayed in and played our board games Tiddly Winks or Ludo, the boys had their trains. But often outside in our gumboots would go To play in the rain or built men in the snow. For hours in raincoats all riding our bikes, But if it was windy, released our stringed kites. A skipping rope featured, also a big hoop Even boys had a go when we looped the loop. Kiss-Chasey when older, to catch out the one A peck on the cheek, oh what innocent fun. Our days filled with something, “I’m bored” never said Up early each morning, then early too bed. That bush school I went to, my memories still dwell The Three R’s we learnt there, plus we all could spell. At school Monday morning, the flag we would raise Sing ‘God Save the Queen’ with respect would we praise. Oh yes, I remember with fondness recall Those days of my childhood; how we had it all. Christine ©