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Days of My Youth

From the top window of the tower
I surveyed my vast kingdom
sprawled far and wide,
a patchwork quilt of 
rubble-walled fields
adorned in vibrant hues
matching the glow of my soul
and the glint of my regal sword.
An introvert at an early age
relishing the sound of silence
leading imaginary friends into 
battle against foes and dragons.
Time had little or no meaning...
till grandma’s shrill voice
spiralled upwards, shattering my 
daydreaming and, reluctantly, 
I shed my thoughts and armour, 
then hungrily followed the aroma of
her cooking down the winding steps
of grandfather’s windmill.

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[20 lines max ~ free verse]
My Youth Poetry Contest 
Host & Judge Craig Cornish
Placed 2nd
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A Personal Fav Poem of 2018 Contest
Hosted by Carolyn Devonshire
Placed 2nd
© 9th December 2018

Copyright © Paul Callus | Year Posted 2018

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Angela Crabtree Date: 12/18/2020 4:38:00 PM Leave it to grandma... ;) Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/19/2020 3:57:00 AM Yes, Angela:) My grandparents are very much missed! Have a lovely weekend. // paul

Eileen Manassian Date: 3/15/2020 10:34:00 PM Awwww... what a pleasant peek into your youth. Vibrant with imagination.... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 3/16/2020 3:19:00 PM Glad you enjoyed, Eileen. I spent many beautiful years at my grandparents' windmill and farm...I have a chestful of unforgettable memories. ~ Thank you and hugs // paul

Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/18/2018 6:48:00 PM Had to read this again, Paul, (and add to my favs) ... just superb imagery and storytelling, woven with excellence and emotion. There is much to be proud of here. And a very Merry Christmas to you as well, My Poet Brother! :-) Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/19/2018 9:46:00 AM Thank you for coming back with such lovely comments, my friend...they and the fav are much appreciated. Best regards // paul

Funom Makama Date: 12/18/2018 10:50:00 AM Lord God! This has excited me to my soul... My spirit dances like a redeemed bastard with your lines... Keep on writing dear friend. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/18/2018 3:34:00 PM Pleased to see you back posting and commenting, Funom. Thank you for the complimentary remarks. Regards // paul

Susan Ashley Date: 12/18/2018 10:44:00 AM Oh, I just love the vibrant spirit of your poem, Paul. Your captivating reverie captured my imagination and I reveled in the magic of your beautiful memories. A piece that shines a lovely light on the youth of your creative soul. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes and hugs always, my inspiring friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/18/2018 3:32:00 PM Thank you, Susan. I too love the vibrant spirit of your beautiful comments! I am glad my words have captured your imagination, something which I can also apply to your rich poetry. ~ Warm regards & hugs, my friend. // paul

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 12/15/2018 2:43:00 PM You know how much I love this poem, Paul. Congratulations on a great win in Craig's contest! Sending wishes for holiday cheer, Carolyn Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/16/2018 8:03:00 AM Many thanks, Carolyn. I am pleased to notice your increased presence @ Soup...a welcome positive sign. Take care & hugs // paul

Jan Allison Date: 12/15/2018 2:41:00 PM dropping back with my congrats Paul:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/16/2018 8:04:00 AM Thank you, Jan. I am happy to report that so far my computer is behaving itself:) Hugs // paul

Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/15/2018 10:46:00 AM Sincere congratulations on your win in Craig's "My Youth" contest, Paul - blessings and best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season! Keep the wonderful ink flowing, my friend! :-) Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/16/2018 1:49:00 PM Many thanks for the congrats and festive greetings, Gregory. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year, my friend! // paul

Wendy Watson Date: 12/15/2018 10:23:00 AM Congratulations,Paul. I enjoyed reading this just as much, second time around! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/16/2018 1:46:00 PM Thank you, Wendy. Double visits are appreciated:) Wishing you all the very best for the festive season. // paul

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 12/14/2018 11:01:00 AM Ah, it sounds like you had a wonderful childhood, when we are introvert we feel things so much deeper, often silence is the best avenue in times like these . Thank you for sharing your youth . all the best Paul, hope your keeping well Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/14/2018 12:09:00 PM Thank you for sharing your thoughts, too, Pixie. When I was young we were happy, even though life wasn't easy. Nowadays many children have all they want, and they are never satisfied. ~ Have a lovely weekend // paul

Supraja Kannan Date: 12/14/2018 8:23:00 AM Beautiful memories... I enjoyed reading your youth memories... Reads like a winner, Paul... Thanks for sharing this wonderful poetry. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/14/2018 9:15:00 AM Thank you, Supraja. Collecting memories is one of my main hobbies:) Regards // paul

Vladislav Raven Date: 12/14/2018 4:57:00 AM Hi Paul, such wonderful memories of your youth. You took me to the heart of a child's wonderful mind. At first I was so engrossed I thought it was real until Grandma shouted, yet, in writing these words, I must remember, a child's thoughts are real to them. To relive childhood thought. Excellent write Paul. Good luck in the contest my friend. Have a wonderful Friday. Your friend always....Mike. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/14/2018 7:34:00 AM Thank you, Mike. Children live what their imagination gifts them! So pleased that you enjoyed and shared your thoughts with us. Reliving childhood is also a gift. Best regards, my friend. // paul

Pashang Salehi Date: 12/14/2018 1:26:00 AM I greatly enjoyed reading about your youth memories... Happy Holidays... Login to Reply Pashang Salehi Date: 12/15/2018 6:10:00 PM Thanks ... you're too kind. Paul Callus Date: 12/14/2018 7:35:00 AM Thank you, Pashang. May you enjoy this weekend and all the rest of the seasonal joys. // paul

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 12/13/2018 10:40:00 AM Hi Paul, A vivid imagination you have indeed! Ones youth is always lingering in the back of the mind. I think of mine with fond memories. Loved how you described this scenario, and could actually picture the scene completely. Well done Paul - congratulations! I have today, actually plucked up the courage to enter my first contest! Warm regards, Jennifer Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/14/2018 9:14:00 AM Best of luck...So pleased to see you entering your first contest, Jenny:) Thank you for the lovely feedback. Have a nice weekend. Warm regards // paul

Wendy Watson Date: 12/12/2018 3:49:00 PM I could imagine this scenario so clearly,Paul. I'd like to believe it was a true episode but if not, you fired my imagination! Congratulations on such a high placement! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/12/2018 4:30:00 PM Thank you, Wendy...and I won't be disappointing you...this scenario is all from personal real life experience:) ~ Regards // paul

Jan Allison Date: 12/12/2018 2:50:00 PM looking forward to seeing this for real next time we visit!:-)many congrats on your win Paul:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/12/2018 2:58:00 PM Thank you, Jan. Should not be a problem to visit the windmill :) Hugs // paul

Gershon Wolf Date: 12/12/2018 1:02:00 PM A magic reverie, Paul! Well-crafted...Congrats on your win in the contest. Best wishes, Gershon Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/12/2018 1:32:00 PM Many thanks, Gershon. This is one of the benefits of old age:) Regards // paul

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 12/12/2018 4:52:00 AM I've already commented on your poem, Paul, so just let me add congratulations on your second-place win! Competition was great and your entry was among the best. Best wishes, Carolyn Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/12/2018 8:58:00 AM Thank you for the congrats and high placement, Carolyn. I will now go read the winning entries. Warm regards & hugs // paul

Mahtab Bangalee Date: 12/11/2018 9:50:00 PM wonderful green memory shared /// beautiful poem Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/12/2018 8:59:00 AM Glad you enjoyed, Mahtab. Regards // paul

Freddie Robinson Jr. Date: 12/11/2018 6:04:00 PM WoW! This vividly expressed poem took me back to the timelessness of your youth, Paul. This was pure joy to read, my dear friend! You have a marvelous way w/words. Exceptional poetry ... star bright write. Love and more love always. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/12/2018 9:21:00 AM Thank you, Freddie. Luckily we have so many memories to fall back on, as age starts to throw a shadow over our life!! Best wishes to you, my friend. // paul

Besma Riabi Dziri Date: 12/11/2018 4:22:00 PM The scent of good and cherished memories.. the introvert youth you rendered beautifully and sensitively.. You are blessed, Paul, with the gift of poetry feeding on enlivening beauties, immortalising the sweetest and the most valuable moments in time.. I greatly enjoyed reading one of your youth memories! Thank you so much for sharing. My deepest regards. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/12/2018 9:10:00 AM Thank you, Besma; you too are blessed with the gift of words! Your insightful comments are always a pleasure to read. Warm regards // paul

Arthur Vaso Date: 12/9/2018 10:05:00 PM Childhood memories are what keeps us young! Great write Paul! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/11/2018 1:00:00 PM They are what we fall back on in times of need, Arthur! Thank you. Regards // paul

Vijay Pandit Date: 12/9/2018 3:55:00 PM Parts of your story fit in every childhood memory..a sign of good poem that people can relate to. You gave voice to that youth ..well done, Paul. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/11/2018 12:59:00 PM Thank you, Vijay. Childhood memories will always be most dear to me (and I suppose to many others!) Regards // paul

Nette Onclaud Date: 12/9/2018 3:31:00 PM now you make me really want to go to malta and have coffee time with you and victor, then talk about the good old days of youth, paul... a charming look at how imaginary friends and kin can brighten this wonderful piece...huggs Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/11/2018 12:54:00 PM Thank you, Nette. Incidentally I too have been reading about a sensitive time of your youth! ~ It would be awesome were you to come to Malta; not impossible, knowing how much you love travelling:) A meeting to look forward to! Hugs // paul

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/9/2018 12:59:00 PM A trip down memory lane to the archives of your youth. Beautifully written Paul, I used to have a machine gun complete with sounds lol. Good luck. Tom. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 12/11/2018 12:45:00 PM That is one trip which I often take, Tom! Thank you for stopping by. Regards // paul

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