I Reminisce, I Miss

I reminisce, I miss
the sound of our giggles as we lay -
my sisters and I – on our beds
whispering into those sweltering summer nights
until inevitably, my stepdad 
yelled up the stairs at us to go to sleep! 

I would put my face right up to the fan
which loudly whirred inside the window
at the foot of my bed.
Those were the nights of easy sleep
and easy dreams.
Little was my stress; large was my joy.

And oh, those summer days
when we awoke to no more school.
My siblings and I rode bikes around town,
or sometimes we walked miles -
while sucking on popsicles - to the city pool
where we’d splash around carefree all afternoon.

Friends also monopolized my adolescent life.
Oh, those fun slumber parties
at which no one ever seemed to slumber!
Games, the music of our time, 
and chit-chat about boys consumed us
late into the night.

Picnic reunions with church folks or with relatives:
always the sight, smell and taste of homemade meals
I recall: the wonderful homemade potato salads,
fried chicken, burgers and hot dogs on the grill,
Mom’s homemade Sunday pot roast with mashed potatoes . . .
I could go on forever.

But back to the night I go -
of those hot but lovely summer firefly nights
where sleep and dreams came easy
I reminisce, I miss.

March 28, 2021
for the contest of James Edward Lee Sr.
Now for A Brian Strand July 8 Poetry Contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021



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Date: 7/10/2021 11:24:00 AM
Back with congratulations on this win. Sounds like fun. Have a blessed day with your win....................
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Date: 7/9/2021 7:49:00 AM
fabulous memories of childhood Andrea, many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
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Date: 7/8/2021 11:52:00 PM
Beautiful Creations. Congratulations!
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Date: 4/14/2021 9:19:00 PM
Love the reminiscing about your younger life with your sisters ,Andrea. congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve
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Date: 4/14/2021 10:01:00 AM
Congrats on your top win Andrea! lovely sketch of your childhood days!! how they shape us!!Lying in bed giggling! I remember doing that with my brother and we were told off by others trying to sleep!!
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Date: 4/14/2021 1:55:00 AM
Congratulations on your win
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Date: 4/14/2021 12:22:00 AM
Congratulations...
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Date: 4/13/2021 10:16:00 PM
Superb, as always, Andrea! Congrats on your top win!
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Date: 4/13/2021 7:34:00 PM
Andrea, I enjoyed reading your wonderfully nostalgic poem! Congrats on your 1st place win! Blessings, Kim M
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Date: 4/13/2021 3:26:00 PM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful story/write. Sounds like you had a ton of fun. Enjoy your win with blessings...........
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Date: 4/13/2021 12:38:00 PM
Congratulations, Andrea! Good old memories stay forever.
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Date: 4/3/2021 10:20:00 PM
You have brought many of MY childhood memories back in full force; growing up in Iowa, I surely do relate to this one in every way Andrea!
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Date: 3/29/2021 8:30:00 AM
That's such a sweet memory Andrea.. childhood with your sisters and mom... Hugs.. ~ Ani
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Date: 3/28/2021 4:40:00 PM
Happy memories stay forever in our minds and a sense of bliss when we look back at them. Well done.
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Date: 3/28/2021 3:03:00 PM
I know you are serious about having trouble sleeping now. Funny, but I never had this problem as a child either. You recall some delightful memories, Andrea. Best wishes for a win in James' contest! Hugs, Carolyn
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Date: 3/28/2021 2:32:00 PM
Heya Andrea, I don’t know how you capture these moments with such ease almost photographic like, its a fantastic childhood poem, leaves me yearning for yesteryear, cheers David
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Date: 3/28/2021 2:28:00 PM
I am jealous, this sounds like an idyllic child hood. I so enjoyed the nostalgic feel. It made me think of one of my favourite series “Happy Days” or “Leave it to Beaver” A winning entry in my book. All the best, hugs Rick.
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/28/2021 3:21:00 PM
it was not all that idyllic from my mom's viewpoint. We were a blended family and she and my stepdad hardly went a night without fighting. However, I had my dear sisters and we made our own little world, and also there was my stepbrother Dale who was a wonder in my life.
Date: 3/28/2021 1:39:00 PM
Masterful piece of piecing so many memories. I loved the reference to fireflies nights. Luck with the contest.
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Date: 3/28/2021 1:27:00 PM
Well written. I am sure James will like this one.
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Date: 3/28/2021 11:35:00 AM
Absolutely delightful, Andrea. I enjoyed the memories. GL in the contest.
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Date: 3/28/2021 10:23:00 AM
Beautiful memories Andrea, time goes by so quickly. Tom
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Date: 3/28/2021 9:42:00 AM
Andrea, 'I would put my face right up to the fan' What a sound those metal spinning blades would make. So nice to find this poem of perfect memories reminisced. Perfect golden era to enjoy those sweltering summer nights too. Here's wishing you good luck in Jame's contest. And wishes for a wonderful Sunday in poetry. -Richard
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