I Knowed It Was Summer When

I have many fond memories growin' up on the farm as a boy.
Such simple pleasures in times more sublime brought me great joy!
I knowed it was summer when in June Dad bought me a straw hat,
And in the pasture we'd form a diamond to swing ball and bat!

I knowed it was summer when I could go barefoot sheddin' my shoes,
And wade in the 'crick' and let the warm mud through my toes ooze!
I knowed it was summer 'cause I had to attend Vacation Bible School,
When I'd rather be feeshin' than learnin' to live by the Golden Rule!

My dog Spooks trailed me as I ambled to my favorite feeshin' hole,
With a can of worms, safety pin fer a hook and willow branch fer a pole!
I knowed it was summer when upon a lofty oak limb I'd stretch,
Gazin' at driftin' clouds and, Oh!, the many boyhood dreams I'd sketch!

I knowed it was summer when I saw the steam tractor comin' down the road,
With the threshin' machine in tow to reap the grains that my Father sowed!
I knowed it was summer when I picked wild blackberries as big as yer thumb,
And ate so much homemade ice cream until my poor brain was froze numb!

I knowed it was summer when in the gloamin' I'd catch fireflies in a jar,
And listen fer the hauntin' wail of freight trains travelin' from afar!
I knowed it was summer when relaxin' on the front porch at end of day,
Fightin' mus-skeeters, sippin' iced tea and savorin' scented new-mown hay!

I knowed it was summer when hoein' taters 'neath the hot Hoosier sun,
And pitchin' hay and swattin' sweatbees, neither of which was fun!
I knowed it was summer when lightnin' lit the sky like the Fourth of July,
Followed by rollin' thunder and rain as 'neath covers in terror I'd lie!

I knowed it was summer when Mom made preserves, jams and jellies,
That along with her homemade breads and biscuits would sate our bellies!
I have many fond memories growin' up on the farm as a boy!
Such simple pleasures in times more sublime brought me great joy!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) All Rights Reserved

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



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Date: 1/17/2015 12:35:00 AM
Now Robert, I've had to recite this poem of yours a number of times with the lines having a high syllable count... and bingo. A slow drawl and its fantastic. Just loved this one. Thank you matey - Lindsay
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Date: 3/14/2014 9:52:00 AM
My parents lived on farms, and I heard such comments. Later we visited our grandparents, Aunts and Uncles farms. But we lived in the suburbs and watched them slowly build up. Always loved the farms, but only visited so couldn't keep up with the cousins who lived and worked there. My Great Aunt born in 1901 milked 17 cows with her brother and sister. And delivered the eggs and milk to the mercantile before school each day, in their wagon. Then milked again at night. Her father worked the farm.
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Date: 3/1/2014 4:29:00 PM
- Many pleasant memories from your childhood Bob .... sun, summer, smell, joy, laughter, straw hat, mosquito bites (I think) a happy family ...... a time without worry - Really nice to read on a Saturday night. - :) - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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Date: 2/28/2014 11:03:00 AM
Absolutely brilliant. Thanks for making my day. I have found it pleasurable to always begin the weekend with Poetrysoup because poets like you and poems like this do not disappoint. Have a lovely weekend
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Date: 2/27/2014 8:43:00 AM
Dear Bob - Loving going into your past. I saw your comment on Whispers about the poem found in their fathers trunk - the title escapes me. You probably have but, have you read "I have a rendezvous with Death" by Alan Seeger? It's a WWI poem. As a child it always fascinated me, although I came along way after that. love, Kathy
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Date: 2/24/2014 9:04:00 PM
bob - any poem of yours that mentions taters i know will be one that i'll enjoy, but i think this one is my very favorite! you had me at the title, but the rest lived up to my expectations. wonderful!
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