I Recall

I recall a dirty sidewalk
running in front of grandma's house
with bumps and cracks from the roots
of ancient white oaks

Meandering down to the levee
with cane poles and sack lunches
crickets and freshly dug earth worms
Barefoot in careless summers

I recall one low spot 
beneath a straggly Chinaberry 
filled with pitch-black delta dirt
washed in by summer rains
Shuffling through and digging down
burying our toes

Often now I recall
when the heavens are shrouded in grief
when darkness closes at the edge of vision
I recall a porch light flicking on in the distance
I recall grandma’s trembling soprano calling
calling me back home
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 6:02 PM
Just learned of your death, dear Tim. I am back here seeing that I faved your amazing poem over a year ago. I hope you are looking down and seeing our thoughts about you at the blog your friend made for you. If anyone else lands on this amazing poem, know that its dear author is now in heaven.
Dietrich Avatar
August 13, 2016 at 12:42 AM
this is one I'd faved before. For me, one of the best! Congrats for a new win with it.
Arnone Avatar
August 10, 2016 at 1:38 PM
The descriptions are marvelous -- kept thinks of Tom Sawyer, Becky, Huck Finn and Jim. Congrats! :-)
Devnath  Avatar
May 31, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Beautiful poem. Congratulation my lovely friend for your beautiful win. Loved always, bl
A   Avatar
May 28, 2016 at 3:22 PM
Thank you for the Support...Tim...Linda
Merryman Avatar
December 5, 2015 at 8:59 PM
Sounds like wonderful memories, Tim! Your descriptions make it easy to picture the scenes you have written about. An excellent write! Congrats on your win! Love, Kim
A. Sharma Avatar
December 4, 2015 at 4:24 AM
Congrats on ur fine win with this awesome write Tim!
Allison Avatar
December 3, 2015 at 1:08 PM
Dropping back with my congrats on your win in the Screwed contest:-) hugs Jan xx
A  Avatar
December 3, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Tim, Congratulations on your Screwed VIII WIN... Luv **SKAT**
Maverick Avatar
June 10, 2015 at 4:25 PM
Hello Tim, best wishes on the placement with this southern memory filled write..'
Callus Avatar
June 10, 2015 at 12:17 PM
Keeping hold of recollections such as this one gives us something to fall on to when the present is looking gloomy. Congrats on your fine win, Tim. // paul
A  Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 11:46 AM
Tim. Congratulations on your awesome win. HUGS **SKAT**
Lindley Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 8:34 AM
Those are the memories we cherish and are blessed to have. I remember well those lazy summer days spent fishing or swimming at our favorite spot. Congrats on your win, great poem!
Allison Avatar
June 9, 2015 at 5:04 AM
Beautiful memories Tim many congrats on your win:-) Hugs jan xx
Merryman Avatar
June 8, 2015 at 9:16 PM
I enjoyed reading your nostalgic write, Tim! Congrats on your win! Love, Kim
Hamilton Avatar
June 8, 2015 at 5:32 PM
good memories Tim keep them close congrats on 3rd place hugs
A   Avatar
April 12, 2015 at 3:07 AM
Hola Tim, congratulations on your beautiful win... HUGS ~LINDA~
Haight Avatar
April 6, 2015 at 10:47 AM
So beautiful and nostalgic, Tim. Congratulations on your fine win! Sandra
Yvonne Avatar
April 5, 2015 at 8:48 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved win Tim. This write activited all my senses. A Fav!
Deschler Avatar
April 5, 2015 at 7:18 PM
A very lovely poem, Tim! This tender recalling brings back so many good memories of summer days spent at Grandma's house... Congrats on your win!
Dietrich Avatar
August 8, 2014 at 12:12 AM
WOW Tim, now THIS is the kind of poetry I love seeing from you. Nostalgia at its best with clarity and a superb final line. I'm gonna fave this one. Congrats for your win.
Johnson Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 7:44 PM
What a warm, sweet memory. I love your poem. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
Gibson Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 7:50 AM
My dear Tim, when you write like this, my heart moves like an ocean wave in your direction. As I have said before, I love your funny side, but this is what you were born to write. So, so beautiful, haunting and with deep longing.
A   Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 6:35 AM
A wonderful and deep win Tim....linda
Puddifoot Avatar
August 7, 2014 at 3:30 AM
tim, I'm commenting on your poem first as I've neglected you of late! I had no inkling that this poem was yours, but I liked it the very first time I read it...there's a poignant delicacy to this poem, and it's these sort of poems of yours that tell me that beneath the jocular exterior there is an extremely sensitive soul...(read my blog for what I have to say about the high standard of entries) - congrats on your win! :)
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