Best Childhoodme Poems
My daddy was my loved hero
when I was a tiny sprite.
To walk along beside him, was
for me a great delight.
I loved the swish of overalls
as he carried in the milk.
To me the sound was sweeter
than the soft rustle of silk.
I wondered why my sock clad legs
would not make that unique sound.
But it really didn’t matter
when my daddy was around.
I vowed he would be like Daddy,
the only kind I’d marry.
I’d hear the swish of overalls
as the foaming milk he’d carry.
Although that was not to happen
in spite of my big talk,
I dressed my son in overalls
the day he learned to walk.
By: Joyce Johnson Won a second in Jeans contest
(they weren't called jeans in Daddy's day.)
For Nette Onclaud's contest "It's In the Jeans"
I
I knew a time when my sister, tall and fair
with her sage sense of humor, dull and non-existent
Seemed positively,
metallic, blessed with flowing shackles, a gift, extended only to me.
Limiting my growth past 8 years, haunting my dreams until age 21
always advising her younger sis, to teary boredom
“Do as I say”, “whereso’er I may”
Lend me your shoe to prove my superiority.
By night or day,
I am your stone Buzzard and I will pick your bones
II
This I suffered
The rainbow might as well have been between us,
For the roses lost their petals long ago
I can no longer feel their thorns, my toughened skin
Yet lately when I turn to cry for you,
The pain is far greater than I should bear
For (you) seep, from my tear ducts, a bloodless water driblet
Injury that keeps finding its way out
Purging the likes of you
In twin tissues
III
Infuriates me.
Each night from my pillow writhed
Come darkened silhouettes of your pigtails
I inhale one, in each nostril,
just so I can blow you away
Are you a sister of another mister?
My tormenter, my thumb umbrella
Cleanse me from your sticky sight
Allow my legs to find that gentle breeze called freedom
Before the very bone that we share dies
Making us look upon our mirrors
To find the frozen cordial face
As we pretend to plant, a history, of fond remembrance
When we are but plowing, our indignations in the ground
IV
Unbeknownst
I knew a time when my sister, tall and fair,
Sat braiding her curly brown hair
Finding me sleeping, without nary a sound
Wrapped her tight braid, around and around
Laughing as my life was slipped from sight
Dragging me constantly, round that night
So what if I, but a babe in skin
Was found by Dad, in the playpen
Hence, since, even now, my skin, crawls
Afraid of the hair in red overalls
I was a Butchers boy.
I delivered peoples meat.
I went round on a bicycle
to save my aching feet.
Some people liked our Pork Chops,
and others they liked Lamb.
You even got the customer
who didn"t give a damn.
The bike it had a basket.
Attached above the wheel,
and when i went down hills,
i rested both my heels.
I worked from four till six.
Except at the weekend.
When i did a longer shift,
it drove me round the bend.
"You always smell of Mince."
My Mother always said.
You will need another shower
before you go to bed.
The girls they used to tease.
They put me in a Stew.
"We like your Sheepskin coat,
we like the look of Ewe."
But i had had enough.
I wished that i"d be fired!
For like my Butchers bike.
I found myself two-tyred!
This Butchers boy was sizzled.
Like a Steak that was well done.
My free time seemed so rare.
I fancied having fun.
Then the Baker called,
but i had to say "No fears."
Just like your Wedding Cake,
it would only end in tiers!
You told me back when I was young,
That before we both grew
Old,
One day we'd live inside a mansion
Full of all the richest
Gold.
You said you'd give me diamonds, and write my
Name up in the sky
You said you knew it looked bad now,
But one day we could fly
At first, you were so gentle
And at first, I
Believed.
I thought you were my noble king, and I trusted
Your honesty
But you fell into an amber bottle, you got
Addicted to the drink
You bruised my all-too-innocent heart
And it started to sink
You took my wildest fairytales and
Spun them into dreams
No matter how unreal they were, no matter how
Out of reach.
You said we'd have a palace full of fancy, shiny things
Then you drenched it in your alcohol
Now it's not worth a thing
You said I'd be a princess, but I look
More like a toad.
I thought I'd own a horse-drawn
Carriage,
But I'm riding on a goat
I envisioned a golden crown, a sapphire-studded throne
You promised me glass castles,
But now you're casting
Stones
When you started hitting, you beat
Down my sense of pride
I wrapped my heart up in barbed wire
To protect its blackened
Eye
You shattered all my high hopes and trapped me inside
These walls
Now I live confined in shackles, a prisoner
Of a drunken war.
These words are my rebellion
I hope this pen can
Beat the sword
You murdered all my angels, and you
Sent them straight to Hell
You conquered me with demons when I thought you
Meant well
You sought only to own me, to isolate me here
With you
You're so afraid of burning, you'd drag me
Right down, too
I let you blind me with your lies,
Let you gag me with
Your ties
You ventured all the wrong places with your
Red and hazy eyes
It's bad enough that you demanded,
Even worse, you'd pass
The buck
But most tragic is the fact that I merely gave
It up
The mirrors are cracked and broken
From your constant booze-fueled
Brawl
The images are useless, and I can't see who you are at all
What happened to the sweet and loving
Person I once knew?
But thinking that, I have to laugh, because
That was never you
I softly egg you to confess, but
You tell me I'm to blame
For all of your misfortunes, and you bury me in shame
I'd be better off an orphan
This place could never be my home
You promised me glass castles
But now you're casting
Stones
school broke up and summers here
shipped off, a long bus ride
every holiday off I'd go
to my aunts house by the sea side
she opened the door, gave a monster hug
this lady seemed immense
the first thing to hit me was the smell
musty lavender, quite intense
she eyed me up and down a while
a look of pure distaste
now come child go unpack your bag
ran up the stairs with haste
the room I had was idyllic
clean bedding a lamp and a flower
looked outside to see the view
the bright light on Blackpool tower
aunty Millie gave me a shout
come down and help me cook
side by side we peeled the veg
in her eyes I dare not look
white collar buttoned to her chin
black skirt did sway below
grey hair tied in the tightest bun
not a strand allowed to flow
we sat around a table to eat
such a thing I'd never known
she asked of school and other things
her interest always shown
a home, a real life living home
for this childhood I would yearn
a small girl I was allowed to be
secure, friendly, but stern
three meals a day, every one home cooked
never afraid, no hand was raised
and best of all, when I was good
I was hugged and I was praised
my aunty Millie I loved her so
never wanted to go home
we said goodbye and off I'd go
once again withdrawn and alone
I remember the days when I was small,
obedient and too young to be alone at a mall
Mama would let me go out and play,
with my bare feet on the sand; building shapes with the clay
All day long it would be the same ,
but it all changed when Sunday came...
The comfortable sandals converted to buckled shoes,
that definitely did not reveal my toes
My bright coloured shorts replaced by a white dress,
Oh. My mother dearest forbade me to mess
Then there were those navy blue tights,
itchy, hot and I couldn't put up a fight
Mama would fetch her hat, all decorated with sequins and lace,
she thought it complimented her feminine face.
Baba would stay comfortable on the couch,
while off she went to fetch her pouch
When we arrived, there they all were identical in their Sunday-gear,
hugs and handshakes were exchanged everywhere,
then the service would start with its exciting atmosphere.
What I remember most, was when we got home,
Greens, oranges, reds and rice
But my favourite was always that roast chicken with lots of spice!
How I danced and I sang when I saw your tooth was loose!
So long I had waited for your pretty tooth.
Many children have given me lots of their teeth,
But by far, yours is the most pretty that I have ever seen.
I’m so happy that you brush your teeth with such care,
When you give them to me I know that it is because of your love for me that you
share.
Your teeth become so shiny with each scrub of the tooth brush,
That I can see them under your pillow when I come in the night
I do not even need star light because your teeth are so shiny and bright.
Thank you for pulling your tooth while being so very brave my dear,
I do not like it when you cry your precious little tears.
You are such a big girl and a pretty one as well,
I am so very lucky to have your tooth, it is swell.
Remember to brush and to floss everyday,
And I shall return when your next tooth under your pillow hides away.
Remember how important it is to not have too many sweets,
Because too many sweets puts black holes in your teeth.
Flossing and brushing and going to see the desist on time,
Will ensure that your teeth stay healthy and theywill shine.
Candy and sodas are bad for your teeth and your gums,
Remember to only have a little whenever you want some!
Love,
The Tooth Fairy
CAROUSEL
Sights, sounds, smells of the beachfront,
music , lights and shiny mirrors,
painted ponies with golden poles,
beckon me to ride.
I point to the one with the bright blue mane,
two arms steady me on its’ back,
my pony poised to carry me,
wherever it wants to go.
As my steed spins around
and others pace alongside me,
excitement dances in our eyes
while throngs of laughter fill the air.
Revisiting this favorite place,
the music lures me once again,
now brave enough to ride alone,
the two arms wave each time I pass.
The stride seems somewhat slower now,
the music plays now quite as loud,
the destination now my choice,
wherever I choose to go.
My yesterday have all come and gone,
sadly I’ve grown too tall it seems,
my two arms hold him tight to ride,
wherever he dreams to go.
Time is fleeting and today,
the lights are off, the ponies gone,
the organ music plays no more,
it's melody wafting on the breeze.
For the smile it stamped upon my heart,
for the joy it brought into my soul,
this memory I'll treasure throughout my life
the magic of the carousel.
Mommy, could you help me
write a letter to my dad?
There's some things I need to ask him,
things, that make me feel real sad
Like, why all the sudden
did he stop coming home? and
when he's not with us,
tell him, I get worried he's alone
Ask, how come, you do the things
he used to help me with, and
when he visits next time, is he gonna
bring another gift?
I need to know, if I'm still his, or just yours,
Mommy...
I always thought you were both mine,
not just one at a time
Daddy, can you answer these questions
and
get them off my mind?
My little sister started walkin' today.
I can't wait until she's big enough to play.
I try my best to teach her things and
help her when I can...
Mommy always calls me, her "little man"
Being around girls all day
isn't too much fun at all
So, when I pray to God each night
I ask for you,
to come play ball
I wonder, did I do something wrong?
Something you didn't like?
If you come home, I promise,
to try and do things right...
Cause', I really miss you being gone
and now I feel, a little scared at night
Mommy, just one more thing,
before you finish my letter...
Ask him, if, I'll always be missing him
or when, my heart will start feelin' better
Oh! and say --
Daddy, when you come and visit me,
you can sleep in my bed
Then, you and me can talk about
all the things I haven't said
Love, Blake
Thank you, Mommy
People tell me all the time,
these are the best years of ya life.
But I never believed them,
I just wish it would pass by.
When we are young,
we all want to be older,
do things we can't really do.
But I know now I was young.
Even though
these years are tough.
These years are
too important for all of us
These years we find out,
who we really are.
Who we really want to be,
and tests to see if we becoming them.
Don't tell me,
that you know who you are,
for we can't fully,
only Jah above can.
Learn something new everyday,
down though the years.
But if you grow up too fast,
You won't see ya self grow.
I've kept mooping around,
wishing these years to pass,
these memories to fade.
But these tell me who I am.
Time always goes,
theres no stopping it.
Don't speed it up,
you'll miss out.
I've learned so much,
I've been though much.
I've seen the best.
I've seen the worst.
But I know now,
who i'm becoming,
who I want to be.
I'm actually happy for once.
For I am 19 years old,
forever still won't tell me who I am,
but I will enjoy the time,
finding out who I truly am.
Form:
Right she said it is off to bed,
let"s get you up those stairs.
It"s half past eight and getting late
I want to hear your prayers.
Oh no I thought as I was brought
to the foot of my own bed.
What will I say, oh what to pray
so this is what I said.
Christ"s tears decreased my fears
and reduced my salt outtake.
To take my blame make me the same
deserves a firm handshake.
To die for me to let me see
my soul so stripped and bear.
Is beyond belief a true relief
that someone really cares.
Now as for God the poor old sod
he sacrificed his son.
To create, anoint, to make a point
for me and everyone.
But the Devil knows the seeds he sows
are all quite growing well,
that not all faith can reach day eighth
and makes an easier sell.
So here we are, we"ve come this far
in this our modern world.
You can be devout about your doubt
as your tongue becomes unfurled.
So I just say what price to pay
for mankind is surely bound.
To take onboard all knowledge stored
that those who"re lost are found.
I"m all for firsts but what I thirst
is something more mind numbing.
I want to say, he"s on his way
behold the second coming.
Mother sighs and says "oh my,
I think your faith is swaying."
So I bow my head at end of bed
and pretend that I"m still praying.
She left the room in state of gloom,
I thought well aint that odd
no homework done, oh my what fun.
There really is a God!
© Ned Flanders
I’m well aware it’s not discreet
to walk barefoot upon the street.
In summer too hot, in winter cold
and more than that, I’m much too old.
But it was not so long ago
that I was just a child you know
And living in the country-side
where comfort only was my guide.
With the school’s end and no more classes
I knew the velvet of spring grasses
as I ran through the morning dews,
quite unencumbered by my shoes.
Blood poison was our only fear.
My mother warned me every year,
“Be careful where you’re running dear.”
as she bandaged me and wiped a tear.
We’d never heard of E.coli
nor that from Mersa we might die.
Unaware of dangers everywhere
we ran barefoot, without a care.
I’m sorry for the modern child
who cannot know the feel of wild
abandon in the long hot summer.
She must wear shoes and that’s a bummer.
For Francine's "Barefoot" contest
The rooms are bright white,
empty square chambers.
With memories stale in the air.
The creeping echo of your voice.
Glossy refinished pine floors,
swimming in polyurethane.
Done new for someone new,
who can never appreciate our time here.
Hollow except the single bed,
so inviting to lay my head.
Feel the thick, crisp comforter warm me,
and the lumpy mattress envelope me.
Hold me in its lumps, molding into me.
The lone lamp on the oak nightstand,
lit dim, a solitary candle.
Alone.
Never to see you in this house again.
To not feel love,
nor hear the laughter I long for.
When once you knocked on my door for guidance...
curious and naive.
Now you are grown and strong...a Marine.
Still, I see the boy in your face,
the innocent, blushing child I grew with.
To return a man,
if to return at all.
Walking through the hallways,
the sun hazes your ghostly figure.
One,
without.
Never to wake careless at noon.
Never to touch these creaky floors with my bare feet.
The growing,
our wonder years.
All the fighting screams.
The energy...
But mostly you.
And when you left me brother- so did this place.
Where will I go to find you...if you never return?
I AM TO BE BLAMED
All my life I felt like I am in a dark room,
And if some one didn’t save me I would be doom
I thought I had someone that I could rely on,
But instead everyone leave me alone standing like a fan.
I try my best to do everything I am told to do.
I also wanted to believe everything you told me is true.
I didn’t went to school and pay attention to get something in my head,
I skip classes and play like an idiot instead.
I never turn out to be what I wanted to be,
and the only person to be blamed is me.
I can smell my past in the particles of air that surround me.
Familiar images flood through my mind.
All that was lost, from all that has been found.
It all came to rest in the final days of my childhood.
I can smell my past in the musty blast of hot air
In the room.
How much I’ve come to appreciate that odd placed
Nostalgia.
So much about that time places me into
Careless drifting.
I can smell my past as if the moon is still
Triumphant in the sky and we’re all still
Awake laughing together.
And that air was always present with us,
As we exhausted our youth into the small
Corner of that house.
I can smell my past,
As if you are still here with us.
And some say that I’d best forget it,
Lest it drag me back there.
But those people don’t understand that without
These reflections, how would I be able to recognize
Who I am today.
I can smell my past,
and it's all that I can ask for.