Daniel Henry Rodgers Poet Lyric

Notes About The Poem

Still Life with Cereal, 1968

I woke at 8:45
Stretched and yawned
Smiled. All gaiety.
 

Potty first. Face splashed
Skipped teeth, shower, hair
Pajamas wrinkled
week-long underwear
 

Rushed down the steps
Threw open the fridge—
Friday’s meatloaf, cold brick.
Just Me & Capt’n Crunch—
sugar gravel
still in a Scooby-dish bowl
 

9am flipped on the boob-tube
Saturday morn cartoons
 

        Mystery van
           Spinach
              Spiders
                 Anvils dropping
                    White cowl
                       Bull’s-eye dog
                          Sugar Sugar
                                Ah…Honey Honey
                                   Daniel—
                                      Cliff edge
 

                                          The long fall.
 


I laughed until I wept, until I cried.

 

All gaiety—
gone.
 

The sweet milk gone warm.
 

Chirp.
 

Screen lit—
three little dots
then—
 

 “You up yet Papa? XOXO”

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David Crandall April 6, 2026 at 9:25 AM Ah, I can still picture the brick cold meatloaf partially wrapped in tin foil, the sugar gravel at the bottom of the cereal bowl, and an hours long Saturday morning cartoon line up. Let's see: coco puffs, lucky charms, alphabets, sugar pops, captain crunch, quisp, quake, banana wackies, and coco crispies with brown milk. Daniel Henry Rodgers April 7, 2026 at 11:35 AM Hello David, I loved Quisp, Quake, Sugar Pops, Capt Crunch, Alphabets, Coco Puffs, not a big fan of Lucky Charms. Thanks for sharing this moment of pure unhealthy living. LOL! Blessings, Daniel

Valsa George March 20, 2026 at 1:25 AM While I was young, there were no cereals in our menu. But l can relate to what you describe here. My children were very fond of Kellogg's cornflakes and Quaker Oats. As soon as breakfast was over, they would rush to watch the cartoons. T. V. came into our house only after I entered college. Still they were such happy days. There were many outdoor games. We had no sophisticated toys, but some self contrived ones. Your humorous poem has made my mood light and l grow so nostalgic of old times. Daniel Henry Rodgers April 7, 2026 at 11:32 AM Dear Valsa, I am sorry I am behind on my responses but I am catching up. My parents did not want us to sit and watch cartoons on Saturday morning, but my mom went grocery shopping and dad went to hang out out at one of his friends shop. So I was fairly free to watch cartoons on Saturday morning. They were normally gone for several hours. :} Thank you my friend for being a wonderful friend. Blessings, Daniel

James Peranteau March 19, 2026 at 6:53 PM yeah...mhmm...they were wool long-johnz and thuh dang family doc didn't ever realize thuh mistake give'n me all thoze pillz and ointments tuh rid mine terrible rash all winter long....lol...and "life cereal"...i still luv that shhhtuff...great fun right/\write...ty dear poet...much love Daniel Henry Rodgers April 7, 2026 at 11:28 AM Hello James, I think those that received the greatest joy out of this poem are those of us who lived through that era. Thanks my friend! Blessings, Daniel

Deb M March 18, 2026 at 7:58 PM A fun trip down memory lane Daniel which is so relatable! I love this poem and enjoy the fun side of your personality in your poetry! Debx Daniel Henry Rodgers April 7, 2026 at 11:26 AM Dear Deb, I am so far behind on my responses and I am sorry. But I do love your comments and always read them with joy. Blessings, Daniel

CayCay Godwin March 15, 2026 at 11:07 PM Nostalgic, except a need to potty first didn't happen until grown. When a kid, I completely skipped the bathroom for the cartoons where I'd make deals with bro over Casper vs. Mighty Dog, Jetsons vs Road Runner, otherwise we liked the same. Captain Crunch was loved by many (bro, too, but to me it tasted like something I'd be forced to eat. Life was my heath fav, Chocolate Puffs, my tummy yummy. Loved the nostalgic journey, thank you. You composed a cute one, I enjoyed this ever so much. Daniel Henry Rodgers March 16, 2026 at 11:59 AM Dear CayCay, you and my one little sister who is 18 months younger than me who loved Life Cereal. I loved all the cartoons you mentioned and probably different years would have varied my interest. When my daughters came on the scene, It was Barney, SpongeBob, Mickey Mouse, Arthur, and there were times I could talk them into the nostalgic ones. Thanks my dear friend for your visit. Blessings, Daniel

Frank Sheehan March 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM Great piece. Wonderful tribute to cereal. Reminds of great time eating them. Fantastic take on waking up. Enjoyed immensely. Daniel Henry Rodgers March 16, 2026 at 11:54 AM Hello Frank, ahhh…those were such different days and era. Thank you! Blessings, Daniel

Paul Callus March 14, 2026 at 3:56 AM Those were the days, Daniel!! Love how you tackled that childhood period. The child within still looks back with nostalgic memories. ~ Regards // paul Daniel Henry Rodgers March 16, 2026 at 11:53 AM Hello Paul, as my wife, daughters, granddaughters and grandson can attest to, I still have a child in me. Although I have not eaten that type of cereal in decades. lol! Blessings, Daniel

Jay Narain March 13, 2026 at 11:51 AM Cereals are fun to eat for breakfast. Just watch out fot too sugary ones. Reminds me of good old days. Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 2:57 PM Hello Jay, ahh the joys of childhood perks. I can say that I never had a cavity. Blessings, Daniel

Andrea Dietrich March 13, 2026 at 7:58 AM Oh cartoon day. I remember it well. My siblings all downstairs watching them. I was upstairs finally getting to sleep in. I did not eat cereal and my parent only bought boring cheerios . This was a delight Andrea Dietrich March 18, 2026 at 4:08 PM I do like raisin bran and oatmeal too. Those are maybe the healthiest among cereals Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 9:42 AM Dear Andrea, it is funny because out of the six kids I was probably most addicted to cartoons and loved Saturday morn. My parents were pretty stringent but my mom usually went to the grocery store and dad stayed out in the garage getting drunk. My mom usually bought Cheerios and Raisin Bran, but every now and again Captain Crunch a most unhealthy option. Loved it! I do not know when I had it last. My poem is more about childhood pleasures long gone and trying to recapture. Having 3 granddaughters and one grandson, with two more on the way. I can honestly say I am able to be at times a child again . Blessings, Andrea, Daniel.

Heidi Sands March 13, 2026 at 7:11 AM Good one Daniel. You sure brought me back mentioning Captain Crunch lol :) Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 7:52 AM Dear Heidi, Ahhh my favorite childhood cereal that left micro-cuts in the mouth. Thank you my friend! Blessings, Daniel

Paige Hind March 12, 2026 at 9:06 PM The Long Fall, the novel? anyway, if so, cool that you associated it with cereal, and still life, sweet milk sours without moving, you need things to freshen up? mmmm, a lousy explanation, but got me thinking- family life has its dynamics, your sensitivity showed towards your kids at the end, loving :) Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 6:26 AM Dear Paige, you felt my movement of childhood thought. Yes, my grandchildren have become one of my greatest joys. It is good to contemplate life through different experiences. Thanks for being a thoughtful friend, Blessings, Daniel

Anne Winter March 12, 2026 at 7:09 PM Dearest Daniel, I enjoyed reading this! What a lovely and wonderful poem! With love and respect always, Anne Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 6:23 AM Dearest Anne, you got a glimpse into my childhood era of escapism. Now I live parts of my childhood through my grandchildren. Thanks for being a great friend! Blessings, Dear Anne, Daniel

Tom Cunningham March 12, 2026 at 2:48 PM An enjoyable read Daniel, the start of another day in the Roger's household lol I remember those kind of days ,kids all grown up now and flown the nest. Tom Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 6:20 AM Hello Tom, yes, my daughters are married and have their own children. I as a grandfather get to live a little of my childhood through each of them. Thank You for your lovely comments. Blessings, Daniel

Paula Goldsmith March 12, 2026 at 2:35 PM What a creative/fun write you have here. Love It... Thanks for the laugh. I needed it... I did Not know we lived in the same house. Hahahha!!! Have a creative/fun day writing away.......... Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 6:18 AM Dear Paula, proverbially we did live in the same house. Thank you for sharing you inner child. lol! Blessings, Daniel

Lin Lane March 12, 2026 at 1:48 PM I totally enjoyed the 'not so still' life of your word painting, Daniel. Cap'n Crunch in a Scooby dish when Scooby is howling at you... Scooby Don't! That's usually when after you've poured the milk you realize it's 2 days past minimal threat of turning your stomach inside out. The real, Sugar, Sugar... Honey, Honey enters the scene when Papa smiles knowing his morning is just beginning. Loved your weekend take of family love! Kinda the same for me when my littles come over. ;-) Daniel Henry Rodgers March 13, 2026 at 6:15 AM Dear Lin, there is something magical about a child waking up on Saturday Morning back in the 60s and 70s to watch cartoons. I suppose that only we who lived back then would fully understand. The poem as you related was about a grandfather me, trying to relive those moments and yet no matter what, time has passed and the joy now is watching our grandchildren live those wonderful moments in their lives. Capt Crunch was my favorite cereal back then, funny thing it left tiny cuts in the mouth. lol! Enjoy those grandchildren. Blessings, Lin, Daniel