Philly Boy

A city of neighborhoods, 
                                     it's been called in a song.
                                   With row houses like Legos,
                                        my block fifty long..

                                      I grew up poor as dirt,
                                   with not a spec to be found.
                                   It was asphalt and concrete,
                                    which lined all the ground..

                                  Our fathers were heros to us,
                                 they worked hard for their clan.
                                      With calluses covering,
                                     every inch of their hand..

                                       Times they were hard,
                                     for the uneducated trade.
                                         Your choice of tool,
                                     the axe, pic, or the spade..

                                         The funny thing is,
                                     I never knew I was poor.
                                     Never thought I had less,
                                     never needed much more.. 

                                    No back yards on our block,
                                         just an alley to play.
                                        this was packed with
                                    thirty to forty kids everyday..

                                          Wireball , stickball,
                                         jacks and jumprope.
                                 We'd build ramps for our bikes,
                                     and than jump the slope..

                                         Our baseball field,
                                         was a parking lot.
                                   We'd chalk out the bases, 
                                     how I miss the old spot.

                                 I wasn't raised by one Mom,
                                 but every Mom on the block.
                                   all doors were left open, 
                                there was no need to knock.

                              Sometimes nostalgia grabs me,
                                and I drive by the old hood.
                                   To see myself as a boy, 
                                  most likely up to no good..
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Teagan Avatar
November 4, 2017 at 11:58 PM
I love this nostalgic poem. Love that you never knew you were poor, and the sense of community you grew up with. Lovely.
Schwartz Avatar
January 6, 2018 at 8:17 AM
Thank you Becca, It seems like when your a child before the internet your world is so small , that you think the kid down the street in the same row house as you is rich. Just because he has Chuck Taylors sneakers and you got Bobos..lol
Gregory Avatar
September 27, 2017 at 11:08 AM
I Like this. I came from a poor background in England. Spent matches and bottletops were my favourite toys. It did me good. Fired my imagination. Same with you I see.
Schwartz Avatar
September 27, 2017 at 4:30 PM
Thanks Charlie , glad you liked it.. It's funny how we were poor yet we still look back with such fondness in our hearts..
Cwiak Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 4:22 AM
It sounds like you grew up next door to me in Chicago, Glen. A wonderful tribute to that upbringing and the neighbors we left behind. Congratulations !
Schwartz Avatar
August 3, 2017 at 7:52 PM
I pictured Chicago to be much the same as Philly Thanks for reading me :) Wriggly Field my next vacation..
Capitano Avatar
July 25, 2017 at 3:49 AM
Great story Glen of younger days, how they sneak up on you and suddenly you realize things have changed. Very cool.
Schwartz Avatar
July 25, 2017 at 3:16 PM
Thanks for reading me Phil, You got it exactly right .. Time sure can fly by.. :)
Dietrich Avatar
July 19, 2017 at 3:15 PM
and a fave for ME
Schwartz Avatar
July 19, 2017 at 4:13 PM
Thank you so much it really means a lot coming from you .. PS; I found out last week how to follow a poet and your the poet I have chosen.. Your Friend Glen :)
Dietrich Avatar
July 19, 2017 at 3:14 PM
Glen, this is AWESOME. So full of nostalgia. My childhood was not quite like this but i relate to the playing outside all day with other kids in the neighborhood. Just glad we had a back yard to spray each other with a hose!!
Schwartz Avatar
July 19, 2017 at 4:10 PM
Thank you Andrea, I am one of the lucky ones growing up with 2 loving parents I had such a great childhood.. Money is over rated :)
Michael Avatar
July 9, 2017 at 2:59 PM
Interesting... I enjoyed it...Thanks for sharing
Schwartz Avatar
July 9, 2017 at 9:05 PM
Thank you for reading me, so glad you enjoyed it.. Your friend Glen :)
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