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Remembering What It Was Like Back Then

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Columbus School is still named Columbus School, but it is not the same in any way. She lives in Chariton, Iowa.

The murder of my elementary school? No! Columbus School, a three-storied statuesque red brick landmark? I used to love sock-sliding around those smelly wood polished hallways. Shocked when I did not see her highness halfway up the hill Columbus School had been replaced by something modern and awful. Most of the giant oaks were gone. How did the children play hide and seek? I walked toward the building feeling empty, a bit unkind toward it. A classmate came out. It is so beautiful she said. I rolled my eyes. We spoke fondly of the REAL Columbus school, staring at the only thing left of the queen, her bell, encased in concrete like a dead thing. We cried. Written 9-27-2018 Lines of 10 reminding you what it was like back then. Sponsor: Silent One

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Line Gauthier

Date: 10/11/2018 7:46:00 PM

Well done Caren. Congrats on your well deserved top win.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/12/2018 5:33:00 AM

Thank you Line. It is funny but when I reach my home town I always look at the NEW school but I SEE the old one, the one I loved.

Silent One

Date: 10/5/2018 6:19:00 AM

Great take on the contest.. Congratulations on place in the contest..

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 10/5/2018 7:35:00 AM

Thank you Silent One. I travel past this new interloper some times and I sigh.

M. L. Kiser

Date: 9/28/2018 9:43:00 PM

A terrible loss, especially when you've fond memories of being there. Well penned.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2018 1:42:00 AM

I LOVED that place! It was my last happy school memory place, as junior high was HORRIBLE for me, me having a mind of my own, and wanting to use it.

Rhona Mcferran

Date: 9/28/2018 3:35:00 PM

It's hard to say goodbye to old buildings and places like that... :( The image of you "sock-sliding around" the halls made me smile! Nice work, & good luck in the contest!

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/29/2018 1:44:00 AM

I had so much fun there. I can still see Fred Swim, the janitor, smiling and waving, an old dude, who loved waxing up those smelly floors and Margaret Kneeland, first and second grade teacher, and principal, a woman who took no guff from me or anyone else.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 9/28/2018 12:06:00 PM

Beautiful verse Caren, happy memories of good times. Good luck. Tom

Tom Cunningham
Date: 9/28/2018 1:44:00 PM

Haha can just picture you hanging on to that bell.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/28/2018 1:33:00 PM

Thank you Tom. I really loved that old school especially sneaking into the bell rope room and hanging onto the rope as the janitor struggled in the basement to pull the noon bell.

Pandita Sietesantos

Date: 9/28/2018 11:04:00 AM

Awww excellent write so sweet and nostalgic - bringing back fond memories of my old elementary school! :-) Good luck in the contest, my friend! Hugs. Pandita

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/28/2018 11:14:00 AM

Thank you. This particular contest inspired me to write three poems, but two of them were exactly how I wanted them and they were way more than ten lines. This is why I like contests, because they give me new things to think about.