Pie-Supper Summer

Blueberry and cherry, and home-made apple pie,
Country girls bake them, the apple of your eye;
Each pie’s got a number—which one will you choose?
Look at all those country girls, looking right at you.

It’s a Pie-Supper Summer, in Nineteen and Thirty-Eight,
Down at the school house—you know you can’t be late;
Lemonade and coffee, wash that pie right down;
Your friends and your neighbors, from the hills and from the town.

It’s a Pie-Supper Summer, in the Ozark mountain hills,
Mighty big appetite--you know you’re going to get your fill;
It’s a Pie-Supper Summer in the Ozark mountain hills:
You can shut your eyes…you can see that picture still.

Billy brings along his Gene Autry, Sears guitar,
He likes Tex Ritter, and those cowboy picture stars;
Bill buys a pie prepared by Becky Lou—
Look at all those young folks…sneaking off two-by-two! 

Becky. She says “Now Billy, I think we’d better get hitched soon—
I can see Daddy’s shotgun reflecting the Ozark moon!”
So they get married down in Arkansas, late one Saturday—
Billy’s dropping out of school…now he’s baling hay.

Pearl Harbor comes along in December of Forty-One—
On an Okinawa Beach, Billy tests out his M-1 gun—
His mama gets a Gold Star—and he never got to know his kid,
And Becky, she don’t say nothing…she keeps those feelings hid.

And you know that Time, Time, Time has a way of adjusting
All your dreams,
And the years, keep right on flowing
Like an Ozark mountain stream.

Becky lives in Springfield in a high-rise all alone, 
And her son performs in Branson, in a theater all his own;
On Decoration Day she puts a wreath on a hero’s grave, 
And she shuts her eyes and looks at yesterday.

It’s a Pie-Supper Summer, in the Ozark mountain hills,
Mighty big appetite, you know you’re going to get your fill,
It’s a Pie-Supper Summer, in the Ozark mountain hills—
You can shut your eyes…you can see that picture still.

Blueberry and cherry, and home-made apple pie;
Country girls bake them, the apple of your eye;
Each pie’s got a number—which one will you chose?
Look at all those country girls, looking right at you.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Robillard Avatar
October 4, 2009 at 2:12 AM
This one was lovely
Moreno Avatar
September 29, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Congrats on both entires...Raul
 Avatar
September 25, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Just wanted to drop by and add--Congratulations on having three poems make it through the first round in the contest. Good luck in the finals! Karen
Sheart Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Congrats!!! Love Light Truth Patricia
Fish Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Real Americanna with heart strings and tearlings. Loved it! Congrats once again. ~<><
Devonshire Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Triple congratulations for all three of your submissions making it through round one! Love, Carolyn
Strand Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Well done Steve, best wishes in the next rounds with your poems.Rgds Brian
Mason Avatar
September 23, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Absolutely astounding write here, Steve !! Great imagery, poignant story of yesterdays and just a well-crafted write !! One of the best I've read here at the Soup and a great selection to be featured this week!! Congratulations!
George   Avatar
September 23, 2009 at 6:01 AM
You tell a story in this poem. A story of years gone by that I can identify with. it would make a great song. congratulations on t his well derserved feature of the week. Lainie
Moreno Avatar
September 22, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Steve, congrats on your feature this week...Raul
Fraser Avatar
September 22, 2009 at 6:44 AM
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week Steve >>James
Adeite Avatar
September 21, 2009 at 7:18 AM
Congrats on your poetry being featured this week… please keep writing… great you! Adeleke
Brown Avatar
September 21, 2009 at 3:25 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Steve. Love, Carol
Strand Avatar
September 21, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Congrats on your feature poem this week Steve.Rgds Brian
 Avatar
September 20, 2009 at 6:04 PM
You've got me smiling with this poem. Congratulations on having it featured. Keep on writing. Wishing you continued success. Karen
Orozco Avatar
May 24, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Deeply written! Good verse here! Jerry
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace