The Good Old Days - Journal Xvi

THE GOOD OLD DAYS – JOURNAL XVI

Looking back from this point
I’d have to make a division
Between adults and children
For adults the many tasks were more

The thirties were the ultra-sparse of times –
Men out seeking work, women with back
        breaking chores
The washboard, carpet beater, scrubbing (on
      hands and knees) floors –
For most no modern conveniences 

The kids – at least this kid – were relatively 
      happy
They might help out, certainly,
But had not the worry,
The responsibility

Things wearing out was not a big factor
Like, rubber resoles, needle and thread, 
      sewing machine,
The Model T with removable parts
The everyday things pristine
But people wore out
Everything moved so much slower
Those worn out moved slower –
      the worry, emotional fatigue -
One’s age, life expectancy much lower 

In these last few, as I reluctantly rise each day,
I want to remember the happy kid
And thank the martyrs, the miserable
For making him that way
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

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George   Avatar
September 8, 2014 at 2:08 AM
Hi, Dave, This is all too real to me. I came a little later, but it was the same. It is only now, in the autumn of my life that I truly apprciate the sacrifices all those dear elders made for us kids. Thank you for reminding me. Love, Lainie
Sirak Avatar
August 25, 2014 at 5:17 AM
Fantastic! Taking a nostalgic path and tossing out lessons learned.
Dietrich Avatar
August 17, 2014 at 11:25 AM
What a great ending, thanking your own elder martyrs for your happiness as a child. My mom did work hard as well. I never have worked physically as hard as she did. Old age. It all SUCKs
Ryerson Avatar
August 16, 2014 at 5:14 PM
This is such a nostalgic and VERY compelling write Daver...'But people wore out'...GREAT line and the last verse is a knock-out gem - Tim
Onclaud Avatar
August 15, 2014 at 11:36 AM
of a time well spent hence drawing the best images from your pen... nostalgic and splendid write, daver... huggs
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