Just Down the Road a Piece

Just down the gravel road a piece is an old-time country store.
On its saggin' shelves are things you won't find much anymore.
Ladies in bright calico barter with Mr. Draper their eggs and butter,
As they visit neighbors on Saturday nights amid the piles of clutter!

Menfolk lounge on benches in front of the store to discuss the price of hogs,
Argue the merits of John Deere tractors and who has the finest huntin' dogs.
The kids were given fifty-cents and shooed off to the movin' pitcher show.
Later they'll meet at Bruce's Deli Shoppe for ice cream and cups o' joe!

Shoppin' carts or computers ain't used in the store owned by Mr. Draper.
He grabs things off the shelf and totes the bill on scraps of butcher's paper.
Snoozin' nigh the glowin' potbelly stove is Spooks, Mr. Draper's hound.
His inscrutable cat, Wilbur, sprawls upon a barrel of pickles a-sleepin' sound!

Ah, the variety of interestin' stuff available in his store is so replete.
Fels Naptha, Oxydol and Lifebuoy soaps as well as pickled pigs feet,
Wrigley's, Black Jack, Beamans and Clove chewin' gums are on the shelf,
Plus Clark, Power House and Walnetto candies to satisfy yourself!

Farmers keep his bins stocked with fresh roastin' ears and sweet potaters,
Rutabagas, green onions, rhubarb and luscious beefsteak tomaters.
If you can tolerate squeaky floors and Mr. Draper's old-fashioned ways,
Drop by and savor the nostalgic ambience of his store one of these days!

(c) 2014 All Rights Reserved

Entry for Kelly Deschler's "Just Down The Road" Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014


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Date: 5/23/2014 9:18:00 PM
Sweet win BOB..... SKAT
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Date: 5/20/2014 1:00:00 AM
It's a nice take on the theme of the contest. Congrats on the win, Bob
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Date: 5/19/2014 8:53:00 AM
like i said below, how interesting, bob..big cheers on your win.. huggs
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Date: 5/18/2014 7:27:00 PM
I love the nostalgia in your poem, Robert! It reminds of a general store in my hometown that also had a squeaky wooden floor. I used to go there and spend my allowance on candy or a small toy.... Your poem has wonderful rhyme, as well! Congrats on your win!
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Date: 5/14/2014 11:27:00 AM
Hello Bob H., i do hope for a better future down the road. This is a great poem BOB, since I am Texan, and I lived on a farm. I've been on many John Deer, tractors. The things, owned and sold to and from a farmer. The Labrador, was my uncles favorite hunting dog, I think we once had a cow dog, a blue ?? lol. I forgot the name of that breed. Anyways, this is a great poem. A life and way so interesting indeed... thanks for the ending invite... always~ Linda
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Date: 5/12/2014 11:07:00 AM
ohh, those were the simple days, bob... you sketched a time when life was just pure pleasure.. beautiful!.. huggs
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Date: 5/11/2014 11:48:00 PM
ahhh, I see you did yours nostalgic as well. It is so interesting to see what way the poets here will be inspired. I recall a few old time shops from my day but none quite like this one described here.
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Date: 5/10/2014 8:24:00 PM
bob - i love this poem and when i got to the "potaters" i just couldn't suppress a huge grin! your details are delightful and just perfect - i can picture this store exactly (even though i'm a city gal). i could read one of these every day and never stop enjoying them...
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Date: 5/10/2014 7:17:00 PM
You are the master..I bow to you...this is so neat..I love it. Hope you are well and that you have a nice day tomorrow with your loved ones. BG
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Date: 5/10/2014 3:18:00 PM
- This was nice to read Bob - from a time back in the time where people had time for a cup of coffee and a conversation outside the store - Good luck in the contest - Wish you a lovely weekend. - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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