Postcards From My Past

~*~*~*~*~


A little girl with dark brown braids.
White blouse, gold-colored wool skirt 
and patent leather Mary Janes.
An only child with a wired haired fox 
terrier that lived with Grandpa,
Mother and Father.

Her Mother, sweet, who saw to it
that she had ballet lessons, went
to a private school and Mother read 
her poetry for hours.

A book collection she did have and 
loved to read even before she really
could.


Playing with friends, riding her bike, 
loved sparklers on warm, July Fourth 
nights.

Saw men proud to wear a uniform, 
who never came back from the war.
She did not understand when someone 
stole her Teddy Bear during one of 
many blackouts during the war.
Whoever would do such a thing?

No TV, no technology, just cut-outs, 
crayons and she was taught to salute 
the flag, because she lived in  the land 
of the free.

Children were safe, could go on the 
train downtown.
But she cherished it the most when
hiding like a cub, under her Mother's 
warm coat. The snow sticking to train
windows, peeking in.

Swimming at small lakes in summer how
she loved that the most. So suntanned, 
she, the color of warm toast.

The girl knew song lyrics, she never forgot.
They live in her mind and heart and cannot 
be turned off.

Years passed, the autumns and summers.
Family now almost all gone, yet somehow, 
she remains young.

Always desirous of being herself, you won't 
find the braided girl wanting to belong to 
any crowd.

The music, the dance, her life, somehow 
made her become a poetess.
Surely, not the best!
Being genuine is the gold standard for 
all she writes. It must past this test!

She does not write to impress with great
finesse. Just to keep it simple as can be. 
Thus~you will experience her poetry!




             September 12, 2020
                 8pm PST
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Cunningham Avatar
September 16, 2020 at 5:26 AM
Love the stories of your life in poetic form, Jenna summed it up well, youve opened the curtains of your memories for us to see. Tom
Romios Avatar
September 16, 2020 at 8:50 AM
Thanks, Tom...I agree, Jenna summed it up very well. Lots of stories to come Panagiota xx
Hinshaw Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 8:52 AM
A life well-lived, Pangie, - some wonderful memories from the past - Bob
Romios Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Hi Bob~ the blessings in my life are innumerable. I was just a receiver. Hope I can pass on the glory of God and the USA. Thank you for your service to the USA. Panagiota xx
DiMino Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 7:10 AM
You paint a lovely postcard. For a short time years ago, I became interested in postcard collecting, and still have several thousand tucked away somewhere. My wife remembers well the sparse war years -- walking home from school, a young girl, in the Dust Belt...windblown sand cutting any exposed skin...having to shovel out the doorway to get back into the house. I'm certain you have had your trials as well, but wisely have chosen to focus on the positive. God loves Light so....we create the darkness.
Romios Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 11:38 AM
Prince de Mino~ Thank you for sharing the story about your wife in the Dust Bowl. Wow! I was lucky enough to never experience sparseness. Fear of being bombed by a little girl was terrifying. But I mostly recall the vast great experiences with my family. We were close and uncles served in the Maines and Army. I would not like growing up today,in a country burning itself to the ground and killing police. Burning a flag is really nuts. Postcards are lovely...,find them....Panagiota xxx
Andresen Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 4:05 AM
- A time when children were children ... a lovely poem Panagiota :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Romios Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Dear Anne-Lise~ so great to see a poetess get the point! Interesting, is it not, that mostly males responded! LOL...you said it well so well in so few words..." A time when children were children" honestly, you should make that a quote of yours, it's so beautiful, as is your soul. Thanks for all your comnents. You make me feel welcome here!! Panagiota xx
Theraven Avatar
September 12, 2020 at 10:12 PM
Panagiota, You..,grown in an era that knew some semblance of decency. For self, for family, and for 'snow sticking to train windows, peeking in.' This memory worth defending, can't be bought or sold. A genuine standard in gold. -R
Romios Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 11:20 AM
Richard, so often I feel a failure as a poet. Your words reassure me and this is untrue. And yes, grew up in decency. Hardly feel I fit anywhere now. That memory is worth millions. So was my Mom. I didn't know if I should post this. -)) thank you for your support for so long. With loving appreciation, Panagiota xx
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