For the Good Old Days

My family was large, and when we were heard our mother call
“Get down here for supper, kids,” we’d scamper down the hall.
There wasn’t much conversation. We’d devour all the food.
“Seconds” went much too quickly among our grasping brood!

In sweltering Iowa summers, we’d play or swim at Weed Park;
We’d squirt each other with hoses and chase fireflies in the dark.
Sweaty, we’d ride our bikes over hills or coast into town for a treat.
We’d gorge ourselves on “Maid-rites,” glad to be out of the heat.

Winters we’d don our coats and scarves to sled or skate in the wood.
Mom would cook us her chili, and I, of course, ate all I could!
and Mom would clean unceasingly and worry for our souls.
Dad with the bills and work in the yard. Both toiled in separate roles.

But my sweetest reminiscing lingers not on the chores they chose,
but rather on intimates chats we shared, and those late night drive-in shows
and our cozy Sunday evenings which I now miss more and more:
“Bonanza” playing on the TV and that huge tub of buttered corn!


For "Heart's Warmth" Contest:
Sponsored by Sami Al-Khalili
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Kulkarni Avatar
April 21, 2025 at 9:37 AM
What a delightful journey through nostalgic memories your poetry provided! I could vividly envision every detail you described—it was truly a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing such beautiful experiences of your childhood, Andrea! -Smita
mysore Avatar
April 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Read it again to feel your summer! Lovely childhood, miss those carefree days. You write so beautifully blessed poet. cheers!
Toney Avatar
April 19, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Andrea, I appreciate your support for my Flash Poetry Challenge (12). Your poem was randomly chosen to be featured in my 'Results' blog, which is now up and running. What an uplifting poem! Your last stanza describes my life growing up too!
Dietrich Avatar
April 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Thanks, Mark. Bonanza fan too?
Seeker Avatar
April 8, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Oh my! What a happy childhood you were blessed with, Andrea, God bless
Dietrich Avatar
April 19, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Thanks
mysore Avatar
April 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
That is lovely childhood, happy, carefree and cheerful. I bet future generations will never have such divine taste of family and childhood. Beautiful write dear poet. nostalgic.
A   Avatar
July 7, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Congratulations, with your winning poem .... xox~ PD
Anglesey Avatar
July 1, 2013 at 6:27 PM
Hi Andrea, browsing through winners of poetry contests and found this lovely poem full of heartwarming experiences and descriptions. This reminds me of a poem I wrote about my summers in Idaho as a child. I think I will post it soon. Great creativity and congrats on your win :)
Liwayway Avatar
July 1, 2013 at 8:14 AM
Congratulations on your win friend Andrea..a very happy childhood..Have a nice day! :) Maria
Curry Avatar
June 30, 2013 at 4:57 PM
reeks of wonderful nostalgia. ran
Posey Avatar
June 30, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Memories are contagious and you have captured the essence of childhood in your entry. Congratulations.... I believe you would like "Fireside Reverie", one I wrote some time ago. It's written with older ink and one I read occasionally. Love ya dearly... Jake
May Avatar
June 29, 2013 at 4:07 PM
wonderful memories Andrea...congrats on your win
A  Avatar
June 29, 2013 at 3:49 PM
Andrea, :-) Congratulations in the Rhyming contest. I'm enjoying all the winners & poems that spoke to me in their own way. enjoy my blog if you like, peace and love. <3<3<3 ~SKAT~
Villarosa Avatar
January 9, 2011 at 5:38 PM
An exemplary of a family that nowadays only few we could see, sad to see many broken families and the choices they made only rewarded their own egos and they left suffering those innocent child which still need both parents love and nurturing, you are lucky Andrea to have such a happy family and nice parents. Appreciate so much your kind comment to my poem: A leap and a walk, yes that was a true story. (^_^) Noel.
Babcock Avatar
December 4, 2010 at 8:36 AM
This brought back so many memories Andrea and sounded so much like our house. Good luck on the contest. Love Phyl
Sweetheart Avatar
December 2, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Soup Mail Andrea..
Harper Avatar
November 28, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Excellent work, you paint a cozy family life well, love the specifics:)
Sweetheart Avatar
November 28, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Soup Mail... Andrea..
Skyles-Theoklapoet Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 2:33 PM
OMG what a joyful memory.This has got to be a winner.My Thanksgiving was fantastic hope yours was a great one to.Root for Oklahoma sooners my games on tonight.Happy holiday Your friend Teresa
Sweetheart Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 2:09 PM
Soup Mail .. again for review luv..
Haick Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 11:16 AM
I'm glad to read all the amazing heart-warming poems today..helping to bring the spirit of Christmas to all. Lovely memories, Andrea. Love, Audrey
La France Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 9:32 AM
Well it sure made my heart feel warm and all fuzzy, gosh, you tell a beautiful story, I think Andrea, my friend, you were bless in childhood, because it sounds wonderful~~
Mehta Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 9:16 AM
Soup mail!!
Devonshire Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 8:45 AM
A wonderful set of memories you share here, Andrea. Many of these memories are ones our family enjoyed as well. Dad went out and bought our first color television set just to watch Bonanza in color and mom was the first "white glove." Step aside, Mr. Clean! Best wishes in the contest. (Do you think I should list my poem as a senryu rather than a haiku? I labored over that question.) Peace and blessings, Carolyn
Richards Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 8:43 AM
What a warm memory you gave me. (We were a Bonanza family too.....those Cartwrights were like kin to my Dad, LOL !!) Sweet poem, Andrea!!
Neels Avatar
November 27, 2010 at 8:06 AM
This is just a brilliant write Andrea, you have some wonderful memories of your childhood and I enjoyed every line.. Wishing you all the best for the contest.. How is your weekend going? Love Wilma
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