Dungarees

The dungarees I used to wear
Were Levis, Wranglers, Lees;
There were no upscale denims then,
With fancy pedigrees.

They hugged my hips and fit real snug,
With bottoms flared like bells.
I wore them ‘til the hems were frayed 
And then said my farewells.

Today I cleaned a closet, finding
Jeans in every shade – 
Light ones, stonewashed, dusky blue,
Enough for a parade.

Some are baggy, others tight;
Most have legs quite straight.
Several hit the thrift store pile,
Sorely out of date.

As I tried them on, I thought,
I wish that I had kept
Just one old pair of dungarees
From days gone by, except…

You cannot resurrect the past,
So what would be my goal?
The girl who wore those Levis out
Was strictly rock and roll.

I still love rock but also jazz
And Mozart, I admit;
And sad to say, my current jeans
Seem like a better fit.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Woolford Avatar
March 16, 2013 at 12:38 AM
I remember so well trying to keep up with the different types of jeans and trousers. The colours and styles soon pile up in the cupboard. Now people even love holes in their jeans, the more the better. Like you say, we could all have a parade of what we have collected just to be in with the crowd over the years. Loved this poem. Pa x
Johnson Avatar
March 14, 2013 at 3:41 PM
I was just thinking the other day as I was looking down at some fraying on the hems of my jeans. How we used to cut them off or let out the hem and fray them on purpose. Oh, and the more patches, the better. Added character. :) Like Neil Diamond, Forever in Blue Jeans. :) Maybe brown or green.? Enjoyed!
Gildersleeve Avatar
March 13, 2013 at 7:46 AM
Nostalgic! Brings back the teen age years. It sounds like a Platinum Poem. Warm Smiles, Connie
Ludden Avatar
March 12, 2013 at 4:20 PM
Charming write---because the thoughts come through as natural---your very own. (Keep listening to Mozart, and try on a little Bach! He's a wonder) :-)
Jones Avatar
March 12, 2013 at 4:16 PM
Great poem Ilene....in the seventies it was the giant bell bottoms hip huggers...wow...the strange things kids wear...:-)
Fisher Avatar
March 12, 2013 at 3:57 PM
Awesome write...I wish dungarees was still the word to use, instead of jeans. I remember giving my torn jeans to younger people before they could buy that kind at stores.
Andresen Avatar
March 12, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Prefer more comfortable clothing over the years ....... - But remember tight jeans ....... had to lie on the floor to close the zipper .... lol. - Well written Ilene. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)
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