Notes About The Poem

This was a poem from several years ago, sitting on the porch on a very hot summer day, watching my grandchildren.

Five and a Toad

Five and a Toad 

They marched in ragged order
under the brilliant, hot,
drenching sunshine,
with thin cotton clouds overhead.

Motley assorted clothes,
sweating, begrimed, sunburned, but eager faces.
One with a cast, blue
with purple stars and glitter,
a residual from a failed acrobatic
jump in the living room.

Dreaming the dreams of childhood,
they marched along the neighbor’s fence
carrying with them, a toad,
captured triumphantly to the
accompaniment of much screaming,
passing it from one grubby little hand to the next.

 Marching in the brilliant sunlight,
they sang or perhaps just giggled.
5 year-olds playing in the waning
halcyon summer days of backyard childhood.

David Holmes
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Stathakis Avatar
April 19, 2021 at 10:02 PM
Wow. I was able to visualize what you so beautifully described. Congratulations David!
Holmes Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:26 PM
George - thank you for reading my poem and your comments - David
Dietrich Avatar
April 17, 2021 at 3:41 PM
an outstanding look at a cute childhood scene. And I bet you could recall your own childhood escapades on seeing this. Wonderfully described.
Holmes Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:27 PM
Andrea, thank you for the kind words, and yes, every time I read this it brings a smile to my face - David
Mohammed  Avatar
April 16, 2021 at 9:09 PM
This is quite lovely, David. It makes me reminisce of my childhood too. Oh, how innocent and brave we were. Cheers! :)
Holmes Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:28 PM
Ansar - you are so right - how innocent and brave we were - thank you for your comment. David
Merryman Avatar
April 14, 2021 at 2:04 PM
David, this was a delightful write! I could easily see the scene you depicted and it brought a smile to my face! Congrats on your win! Blessings, Kim M
Holmes Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 1:36 PM
Kim, thank you for your kind comment - this was written a few years ago - a memory of sitting on the porch watching the grandchildren. David
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