Login
|
Join PoetrySoup
Home
Submit Poems
Login
Sign Up
Member Home
My Poems
My Quotes
My Profile & Settings
My Inboxes
My Outboxes
Soup Mail
Contest Results/Status
Contests
Poems
Poets
Famous Poems
Famous Poets
Dictionary
Types of Poems
Quotes
Short Stories
Articles
Forum
Blogs
Poem of the Day
New Poems
Resources
Syllable Counter
Anthology
Grammar Check
Greeting Card Maker
Classifieds
Member Area
Member Home
My Profile and Settings
My Poems
My Quotes
My Short Stories
My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder
Soup Social
Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us
Member Poems
Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Random
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread
Member Poets
Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest
Famous Poems
Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100
Famous Poets
Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War
Poetry Resources
Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Email Poem
Your IP Address: 3.144.36.141
Your Email Address:
Required
Email Address Not Valid.
To Email Address:
Email Address Not Valid.
Required
Subject
Required
Personal Note:
Poem Title:
Poem
Bygone Days Written: By Tom Wright 4/3/2007 Remember the slogan “Haskell is moving, are you pushing? The railroad depot stands no more In the spot it occupied for so long. Instead in it’s space, a Homeland store, But in my memory it doesn’t belong. Just across the street a Janitorial supply Where once was Conoco’s realm. The change has left me to wonder why But time has not given me the helm. The library stands at Quinn’s used cars Where many a yarn was born. Quaint brick streets before time’s scars And when noise was an occasional horn. On the corner stood a dry goods store Charlie Nesser, the farmer’s friend. Where credit was extended to the poor Now it’s a barbeque and upholstery blend. Haskell’s two theatres have long since parted While druggist’s, Hurt and Walker met their demise. At Haskell’s birth, death’s peal started Each year, time has rendered some surprise. A hand couldn’t count each grocery store Now the total of fingers used is one. The curb rings for horses are no more While two hardware stores went as the sun. The full service stations that did abound Were uprooted by government red tape. Now self serve convenience stores are found Which leaves me with jaw agape. Long gone is Keith’s café and court The Right Way and Busy Bee too. Many have tried this trend to abort But time never deviates as it changes you. T& D and Williams canneries are has-beens Where once spinach thrived is now sod. And have I mentioned the three cotton gins And for cold, Chesbro’s ice plant got the nod. The old Clayton Hotel stands broken down Her tired frame molested by time. From a once proud landmark of our town She has answered death bell’s chime. Stewarts Lumber Yard, also a thing of yore A new Bank rendered it past tense. Haskell Flowers evolved from Papa Tony’s store Which seems to make a lot of sense. International Harvester’s old home looms larger Year’s untouched and of repair in great need. She too awaits a knight on a white charger But rescue is not imminent from time’s ghastly deed. Pete Smith and Mosby’s had auto repair McKean’s and Osborn had blacksmith shops. Where iron and a forge scented the air And farmers made frequent stops. Dr’s Hamm, Kuptka, Steelman finally faded, Now were left without a “Doc”. Our come and go skating rink was jaded. To say were growing is sure a crock. The one constant is the Haskell News, And it has little news to report. Mostly legal notices and editorial views From these, “The News” generates support. Old trains no longer or pass this way As they did years ago in my time. The telephone booth has gone away So has my call that cost just a dime. Haskell’s death knell I do not fear Nor will I be here for the final curtain. For things go on year after year Toward an end, whose arrival is uncertain? Memory’s key often unlocks my minds drawer wherein is contained my good thoughts. Those who didn’t experience the fabulous fifties Missed out on an important time of Haskell’s life. This is not finished, just lost the desire to continue. tom
CAPTCHA Preview
Type the characters you see in the picture
Required