Ray Zottola Poet Rhyme

Back In Time

I once was a boy 
With very few toys
and happily owned one pair of shoes.

My cloths were kept clean
my parents were keen
and my siblings were more than a few.

We played all day long
till the street lights came on
then she guided us straight to the shower. 

She dried our wet heads
then straight to the bed
to dream of our follies tomorrow.

It seemed so simple 
this life we shared,
advice we could surely have heeded.

I'd walk back in time 
when life was sublime 
and one pair was all that I needed.

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Randy Freie September 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM I'll tell ya Ray, we are simpatico! My closet has more shoes than I could wear in two lifetimes. I don't know how it happened, I went thru a phase where I was buying them two to three pair at a time. Online shopping can really put a dent in your wallet! And your head! Ray Zottola September 7, 2025 at 6:50 AM I have two dress pair, 20 years old, because I wear them for special occasions only. I have 6 pair of tennis shoes and a number of sandals. One pair of work boots. I'm rich ! I sometimes go barefoot. And don't even look at my sock drawer. I have socks still in the package. : ) Thanks for reading! Z

Susan Ashley May 4, 2023 at 9:13 AM Dear Ray, I was swept up in the beautiful, rhythmic nostalgia of your poem. Such warm and wonderful imagery, I especially loved how you began and ended with "one pair of shoes" - a powerfully poignant reminisce and a beautiful expression of appreciation for a gentler time filled with the security of love and family. Warmest wishes, my inspiring friend.. ~Susan Ray Zottola May 6, 2023 at 10:01 AM See, now I have 10 pair of shoes. Back then I grew into my brothers. One day , a few years back, when my father had trouble walking at 92 he gave me a pair of his shoes. It reminded me of my childhood days. I didn't need them, but graciously accepted them. Seemed important at that moment. The shoes are still in my closet. Its a reminder!

Panagiota Romios April 23, 2023 at 9:18 AM Hi Ray! Ome must attend to making a living first. Poetry is secondary. We had p,entry of money, as my parents Were owners of two businesses. But still I only had two pair of shoes and even my dresses I had few dresses but today there’s a lot of junk on the market and cheap and people buy it. We can’t go back to those days, but I do know what you mean, and found your poem quite enjoyable. We have to find the beauty in today.. we may be blind to it but it’s there. Oops,,this is my second comment,)) Pangie Ray Zottola May 6, 2023 at 9:48 AM I'm just a simple minded man. You pose the question, find the beauty today. Yes. I need to discover it! And I appreciate the reminder. Z

Darlene De Beaulieu March 31, 2023 at 11:51 AM Hello Ray, time has changed now. Those times are gone. I also wish you would write more. enjoy your day my friend. blessings /Darlene\ Darlene De Beaulieu May 7, 2023 at 10:19 AM Hello Ray, Take one day at a time. Sooner or later you will have time to create poetry. It is a matter of finding free time the covid has changed everything making harder for everyone due to staffing.Yes maybe your nexr life. I have things also listed for my next life. Blessings my friend./Darlene\ Ray Zottola May 6, 2023 at 9:42 AM Darlene, Fortunately those times are not forgotten at least as long as my brain functions. Having a business devours so much of my time since covid, due to staffing issues that I have little thought for writing. Maybe my next life! Blessings. Z Darlene De Beaulieu April 1, 2023 at 3:41 PM Hello Ray, Just do the best you can in your business. Some how you will find the time to create poetry. blessings my friend./Darlene\ Ray Zottola April 1, 2023 at 9:49 AM TY Darlene! Gone, but not forgotten. I would write more, but the business is taking its toll. Then I have to be in the right mindset. Its a quagmire! : )

Paula Goldsmith March 31, 2023 at 9:41 AM A wonderful write/story. Love It. I sent you soup mail. I know you are busy but wish you would write more. Have a blessed day writing away.......... Ray Zottola April 1, 2023 at 9:56 AM Thanks Paula. I have some songs I like to publish. Last year I went to my musician friends studio. Did a demo , but haven't put it out to anyone. : ) I'm not a singer so I had Cherylann Hawk perform it. She's on YouTube with some great local musicians. Anyway, have a great day!

Panagiota Romios March 30, 2023 at 12:14 PM Ray, so sweet this is! “She dried our heads…..etc, to dream of our follies tomorrow!” This so well done. Many of us would like to walk back in time. I’d love to hear my Mom sing poetic lines to me…like this. “Lazy Mary, will you get up, you get up, you get up? Lazy Mary will you get up, will you get as it’s morning! PS, using the one pair of shoes is a simple yet fantastic image that ties the ppoem together like a magic bow! Panagiota xo Ray Zottola April 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM Yes, im sweet. Sweet as the morning dew, to coin a phrase. He he! Oh wait. You meant the poem. : )