Before Trolleys, the Streetcar
Before Trolleys, the Streetcar
A streetcar could write a book of its own,
It could tell of love and hate.
Young girls proud of their very first job,
Men in ties and suits, their fate.
Ladies in hats and gloves shopping,
Laborers, waitresses in uniforms,
Mothers with babies nursing,
Anyone who rode, rode was the norm.
One time on Hallowe’en, the boys
Played a trick on the downtown line,
The conductor let down the steps for board,
The boys tied their shoes, said “that’s fine.”
It was humiliating for people of color
To have to move that hideous sign one back,
Sometimes they were crumpled all together,
Before Rosa Parks taught us better.
Boys didn’t have cars in those days,
Rode the streetcars to go to the shows,
We wanted to be proud he was “cute,”
He’d slip his arm around you, it goes.
Parents would demand the schedule,
We waited on corners in heat and snow.
Older, we had midnight breakfast at diners,
Waiting for the next one to go.
They rattled along over bridge and street,
Bouncing with human stories to tell,
When crowded, hanging on straps above,
Men were polite, gave their seats to the gals.
Rich and poor alike rode the streetcars,
A drunk man on mine, would say,
Tipping his hat with a goofy smile,
“How doin’ day.”
In the beginning, the fare was three pennies,
Though that didn't last very long,
Still they stayed economical,
And punch cards came along.
Bright advertising on sides and in corners,
Electric lights good for books inside,
Dependable were those clacking old street cars,
Wouldn’t mind another nostalgic ride
Copyright © Sunlite Wanter | Year Posted 2016
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