Hey, Kids

Hey, kids – know what time it is?
If you’re like me, well, I’m
Remembering just what that meant – 
“It’s Howdy Doody time!”

Now Howdy was a puppet
On a children’s TV show.
(Technically, a marionette,
In case you’d want to know.)

From 1947,
It was on for thirteen years,
Five days a week, before we ever
Heard of Mouseketeers.

With Clarabell the Clown
And host Bob Smith, we got to see
Some lucky kids who made it to
The Peanut Gallery.*

My buddies from the block all went
But I was in the dumps
Because I couldn’t join them,
Stuck at home, sick with the mumps.

Last Sunday, though, I got the chance,
So many years past due,
To go to a museum
Where some puppets were on view.

And there was Howdy Doody – 
Freckled, smiling, on his strings,
With boots, plaid shirt and dungarees – 
The memories he brings!

It made my day to see him,
So my grown-up self could greet
Such a symbol of my childhood
And a perfect birthday treat.

*the seating area for guest children
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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Kingston Avatar
April 9, 2022 at 7:51 PM
Just simply darling!
Wolf Avatar
April 7, 2022 at 8:36 PM
Ouch! I feel soooooooooo old reading this one, my friend. Oooooooo, well... :) gw It's Howdy Doody Time, It stinks like iodine... Tra-la, can't remember the rest...
Watt Avatar
April 6, 2022 at 3:04 PM
my first day on the job my boss told me "every day you show up for work, I want you to look your duty in the eye and say, 'howdy duty!'"
Krutsinger Avatar
April 6, 2022 at 11:15 AM
This must be a sad memory my friend "My buddies from the block all went But I was in the dumps Because I couldn’t join them, Stuck at home, sick with the mumps." it made me sad to read it.
Dietrich Avatar
April 5, 2022 at 7:17 PM
It's awesome you got to see the show. I think it was on its way out by the time we ever had a tv
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2022 at 2:53 PM
Wow...this sure took me back. I used to watch Howdy Doody every afternoon after we got a television. We had a classmate who looked like Howdy Doody, so you know what we nicknamed him. I still remember how it looked.
Mcconnell Avatar
April 5, 2022 at 1:34 PM
Lovely piece Ilene bringing out such lovely memories, we never had this in the UK I don't think though we had 'sooty and sweep' which I think would be similar. Blessings, Gordon
Chies Avatar
April 5, 2022 at 12:55 PM
What a beautiful memory. I liked it a lot.
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