Best Nostalgiachildren Poems
Myrtle the Turtle
There once was a turtle named Myrtle.
She could speed through a maze and climb a hurdle.
While she was small, she was a friend to all.
And remained safe from a kitchen overhaul.
Years passed as she raced for many children.
Through mazes designed in childlike fashion.
Lined up building blocks, her corridor defined.
Faster than all the others, her speediness shined.
She heard cheering children as she plodded fast.
Quicker than lightening our childhood flew past.
Playing on the floor so much laughter roaring.
A turtle named Myrtle beget years of adoring.
But then the day came when she was big and fat.
Myrtle somehow disappeared; imagine that!
Fear and distraught brought a terrible rouse.
Frantically we searched running house to house.
Never discovered though we searched with quickstep.
Three children sat crying on their front porch step.
We thought she had been taken to become turtle soup!
It was a devastating day for the turtle-loving group.
Surprisingly, later, in a nearby pond
Where a neighborhood boy with our playmate did abscond.
We saw Myrtle, our turtle, and her baby turtles, too.
She had escaped turtle soup and made freedom's debut.
© August 3, 2010
Dane Smith-Johnsen
Our first computer was set and ready to go.
How to use it only the children did know.
“Wheel of Fortune” became our regular game.
We would gather to play; it earned family fame.
Taking turns guessing letters: R-S-T-L-N-E.
Every one was a clue to the phrase mystery.
Each night was the same for the kids and myself.
Until we were visited by the "Technology Elf!"
We had guessed many letters without success.
Then, just as our thinking began to regress,
The answering machine conveyed the next letter.
Wide-eyed and doubting, we had nothing better.
So we typed in the letter; oh, my, the surprise,
The solution was clear; our eyebrows did rise.
With hair on my neck standing straight and tall,
The children asked me to explain it all.
We all heard the clue whispered from the phone.
It must have been technology gnome!
Or was it a ghost that caused this mystery?
You can bet that our game soon became history.
But that was back then, before systems improved.
Now we all are addicted as technology behooved.
There are so many fun games and friends on the web.
No ghost, gnome or elf could make surfing ebb.
© July 22, 2011
Dane Smith-Johnsen
Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: Talkin' Technology
Sponsored by: Natalie Fllikkema
Empty apartment:
Let me say a proper good bye
To this beautiful abode that was mine
Each room has a story to say
How I wish I could run back to those days
Here is the room that he was jumping around
Screaming children dodging around
He said he was a ghost to be
Who will catch and eat them alive
The children screams have registered here in echoes,
The third room was my children room
Filled with books and clothes around
Always cleaning was my daily affair
To keep the dust and dirt away
Now it is lifeless as it seems
The kitchen was my world always
Churning delightful nourishment
Jams and cakes and soups as demanded
The tiles I have here have been personally laid
The lovely color to match the wall
What a delight it was that day
The school pass out and celebration
With a new cycle in motion
She was so delighted right here
The swing speak volume
The kids swaying singing away in chorus
Feeding in spoons as they sway
Not stopping their delight to play
Birth and death you have witnessed all
Stood like a solid wall to me
I never felt alone when I am here
Today I part with a part of me
To go away into an unknown future
Today I leave my dear apartment
You have been a part of history of my life
Never to be erased ever from my mind… sunkan
Saturdays as a youth,
were so special to me,
it was the one day
of the week, that was all mine.
Would go see a matinee,
double feature would
fill my afternoon, thought
this moment would last forever.
Sometimes on Saturday afternoon,
would spend it at Marshall's
music room located between
two movie palaces on Grand Ave.
Would sit up stairs in the music booth,
play all the hits of the day,
Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Little Richard
and of course some Elvis to.
Sometimes would buy an LP,
other times would just listen,
thought this moment,
would last forever.
Oh, the TV shows that came
my way, I Love Lucy, December
Bride, Leave It To Beaver, Red Skeleton,
thought this moment would last forever.
Schol days, spelling test,
English Lit, school friends,
fine teachers, Gym class, lunch
room, thought this moment
would last forever.
Early days of marriage,
children coming my way,
plans of the future and of now,
thought this moment would
last forever.
Now children all grown,
having children of their own,
knowing this moment won't
last forever, but for now will
enjoy and take it in,
to my mind and heart.
wrote 2-7-07
We've had our little clash of wills.
Your determination won the day.
You'll build your nest above my door,
My guests may enter another way.
You do not scold like other birds,
You just come back again and again.
I have not the heart to tear it down.
Your home will stay. You win. You win.
With admiration I am glad
You chose to build your nest so near.
I'll watch your little family grow,
Remembering children I held dear.
Swiftly back and forth with food,
So diligently, you and your mate.
You lovingly provide their needs
Yet to try their wings they cannot wait.
I remember well the pride and pain,
Knowing each step my children took
Would bring me closer to the day
I'd be alone in my little nook.
So tend them now and love them well
The day will come as you well know
They will try their wings and find them strong.
Without thought of your loss will fly and go.
Won first place in constance's bird contest