Kai Michael Neumann Poet Free verse

Game Boy

back in my day
we had to play
there was not much
else to do for a kid

the climbing-frame
was a tree or two
if you were good enough
to switch branches

knees had to be grazed
clothing torn and 
medals were acorns
from said trees

no safety-harness
or crash helmet
spare shoes if
we were lucky
to score goals
on the pitch of life

two jumpers
for goal posts
no video-assist
not a red card in sight
as we learnt
to agree in defeat
or victories’ glory

when it got dark
we had to be home
as street light were
timing machines
if the sun fell
and sweat grew cold

in essence we only
smelled of soap
on Saturdays when
the boiler ran
the family-bath
and the one soft toy
I called my own
cried when he got
bubbles into his eyes
as I wept along

and shed tears 
of joy today
for such a 
remarkably 
simple childhood

23rd June 2021

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Christuraj Alex July 3, 2021 at 10:12 AM Wonderful. Congratulations!

Shreya Ln July 3, 2021 at 9:42 AM Congratulations on your placement! There is nothing I wouldn't give to be a child again

Anne-Lise Andresen July 1, 2021 at 9:51 AM - Maybe a simple childhood ... but, the best :) - It is similar to my own :) - I would never swap with today's children ... what do they have in their memory box? - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

L Milton Hankins June 23, 2021 at 12:51 PM Such delightful memories your poem invokes, Kai. So many of these images are familiar from my childhood, especially that we were told our feet had better be on the front porch when the sun goes down! My, what kids of today are missing. Kai Michael Neumann June 24, 2021 at 2:41 AM Thanks Milton. I have had some so-called traditional achievements in my life. But, getting the leather ball in between two jumpers, still ranks very highly ...

David Kavanagh June 23, 2021 at 12:45 PM Nice nostalgic poem Kai, we actually had similar childhoods, I do miss the self made adventures and mischief we got up to, no spare shoes we wore them til they fell apart, also I fell out of many a tree, bath water was always dirty on a Saturday, a fully enjoyable simple meaningful write, cheers David Kai Michael Neumann June 24, 2021 at 2:44 AM Thank you David. And the bath water was always rather cold when it was my turn ...