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Ode To the Five and Ten

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It was old fashioned shopping,....floors were warm planks of wood Where footsteps sounded hallow, and the walls were lined with goods A “5 and 10” cent heaven, … was the friendly Woolworth's Store One would always be surprised, what revolved behind that door How quickly flew the hours of a summer afternoon, to fritter through the clutter, that lay in waiting there Time would disappear upon a dime, with a sweeping of the eyes like the feather dusting of the racks on the shelves of all the years One could hear the clink of metal that nourished the till Where children holding a mother’s hand, could be rewarded for keeping still Little hands, restrained, would tire, leaning over a heart’s desire While a mother would conspire with the clerk of the day For there a child would stand in mute dismay, An indecisive millionaire, a fight of tooth and nail despair With fifty ways they might disburse two whole nickels in a purse A bit of this and a bit that, a stack of crayons, a pair of socks, Some satin ribbons, a new array of small barrettes, to dress the locks Cases of candy, a licorice whip, eyes embracing one after another… Laces or vases, sissors or needles, color climbing color The stacked up bolts of ginghams, worsteds, chintz and serges Trays of trinkets, and souveniers, ‘Evening in Paris’, the bottle was gorgeous All of these things, under a dollar, even a collar for all the pooches To know how it was to sit on a stool, after school Order a sandwich, and sip sodas, always cool and sublime This was how Woolworth’s….a store of the past Would build a memory to last and last….., Forever in time, for a nickel or a dime... ....how much more could one girl find, and how much could one child ask? ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Skat's Premiere Contest: #13

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011




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Date: 10/2/2016 6:25:00 AM
What a lovely memory you have created, Carrie! We don't have Woolworths in Malta, but I've been to a few in England. ~ Congratulations on your premium win! Regards // paul
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Date: 10/1/2016 10:43:00 AM
wow you are on fire Carrie! congratulations on your placement :)-luloo
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Date: 10/1/2016 9:16:00 AM
Carrie, Congrats on your win. Stop by my blog "in a perfect world" and celebrate with a smile or two. With Hugs **SKAT**
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Date: 9/21/2011 1:37:00 PM
Congratulations in the contest of Nancy Jones "A Toothful Ode" Carrie. Love, Carol
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Date: 9/18/2011 11:05:00 AM
Congratulations on the win in the contest of nancy, Carrie
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Date: 9/18/2011 3:46:00 AM
Carrie congrats on your well deserved win..David
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Date: 9/18/2011 1:10:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved placement in the Toothful Ode contest sponsored by Nancy Jones. CR
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Date: 9/17/2011 10:02:00 PM
We even had Woolworths in Scotland, not nickels but old brown pennies. The anticipation was the same. I wonder if today's children ever get that thrill....Well done Carrie... cheers Marg.
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Date: 9/17/2011 5:12:00 PM
This was fun Carrie. I remember takeing my dimes to Woolworth's to buy Christmas presents. Later on it was one of my first jobs, clerking at Wooolworth's. Congratulations on a great win. Love, Joyce
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Date: 9/17/2011 4:45:00 PM
geeez how did Nan pick between you and Ram what a great, happy..oldfashionie memory! loved it! i want those candy necklaces! congrad's light & love
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Date: 9/17/2011 4:39:00 PM
CONGRATS CARRIE ON A WONDERFUL SECOND PLACE WIN ..DYNAMIC POETRY..LUV..
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Date: 9/17/2011 3:38:00 PM
I love this poem, Carrie.. flashed me back to the days of holdin' my mom's hand to cross the street. Thanks so much for the memory lane trip and for supporting my contest. Namaste~N
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Date: 8/13/2011 11:26:00 AM
I often think about Woolworth's and Walgreens Drug Store. The two places I loved to go for lunch or to shop as a young girl. Great job here . Should do well in the contest. God Bless, JB
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