You want for the crawls and climbs,
sublimes and lemons.
Let the kid run, helplessly,
so he or she strives
for the unreachable star.
“Stop growing!” a mother hollers.
A father has their bags packed.
Shikata Ga Nai, the wise say.
Mother must cry when separated
by the wibble-wabble of time.
Dad must harumph over remnants,
tricycles and toys in garage and attics,
shed tears behind dry eyes.
Most children fall
into another’s arms
and mother must cry.
Shikata Ga Nai cannot be denied.
The silence of empty nest and eventual death.
The middle years of hugs from kids of kids.
Kids calling through the ether,
wondering why their kid must keep growing taller.
You want to tell the secret, but must hint
at the eventuality -
reality it seems,
Shikata Ga Nai -
don’t deny the truth.
Shikata Ga Nai - It cannot be helped.
Categories:
tricycles, children, parents,
Form: Free verse
In the front yard, I see cars,
going places, who knows where.
In the backyard, I see trees,
leaves fluttering in the wind.
White clouds drift in a sky of blue,
butterflies flit from here to there.
The world goes on and on,
and I am all alone.
In the classroom, lots of kids
doing work the teacher gives,
in the playground young ones play,
boys and girls in their own style,
on the playground, year on year,
a cacophony of children's shouts,
sounds, forever, on and on,
and I am all alone.
Jobs, careers, marriages too,
religion, books, philosophy,
life's phases pass one to another -
in one, out one, then the next.
Years, in cycles, years like wheels,
on tricycles, bicycles, and cars,
and one day, wheelchairs,
going places, who knows where,
And I am all alone.
Categories:
tricycles, life,
Form: Free verse
Riding tricycles and swimming.
Bicycling madly on Chicago streets.
Ah, dear Lord, life was deliciously sweet!
Christmas time glowed in Elmwood Park.
That huge white flocked tree.
We all are here, but lost our fun-loving, Brucie!
Cheering for the Bears at great Soldier's Field,
Or the times at Cubs Park?
At night on swings in the warm, starry dark.
KiddieLand and Riverview, too.
The laughter and the endless joys.
We were truly good little girls and boys.
Now on my inner journey to a most blessed past.
The ongoing wonder of growing up to achieve.
But most significantly, we were taught to believe!
If a gardenia could only speak of our fragrant young days...
I am only here to tell you, I love you.
And each one, an invaluable soul,in my view!
Love and Merry Memories!
~ Cousin P ~
12-22-2020
A tribute to all my cousins.
Merry Christmas
Holiday Hugs
Categories:
tricycles, appreciation, christmas, cousin, love,
Form: Free verse
Some call them junk
because of dust and rust.
Strangers disdain their honored positions
on shelves and secure places.
Owners refer to tricycles
with tattered ribbons hanging from tarnished handles as memories,
Worn out Flexible Flyers with rusty runners
as conveyors of bundled joy on snowy days,
Unpolished roller skates hanging
next to freezers as vehicles of independence,
Wooden handled golf clubs
resting in corners as symbols of health,
Dog bowls resting on top
of old wardrobes as memorials to best friends.
I call them treasure.
Categories:
tricycles, remember,
Form: Free verse
Big top three-ring-circus ferris wheel and sideshow freaks
Ringmaster draws your attention to the center ring
Presenting the bareback rider with a graceful fling
Silly clowns riding tricycles
Fierce animals and lion tamers
Elephants waiving their disclaimers
Cotton candy and merry-go-round
Trapeze acrobats dangling high in the air
Walking the tightrope without a care
No matter how it seems appearances can deceive
Though life is but a circus with its fireworks and flames
Behind the scenes might not always be fun and games
AP: Honorable Mention 2020
Submitted on January 5 , 2019 for contest AS EASY AS ABB sponsored by NINA PARMENTER
Categories:
tricycles, fun, games, life,
Form: Rhyme
Dimensions of height, width and length
The watery phases, of ice, liquid, vapor
Life possibly is less after three days without water
The Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit
We are a spirit, soul and a body
The number, 3, indivisible
Triangles with pi are used in Trigonometry
Me, you and God, that is harmony
A father, a mother and children together;
That is 3 in a modern nuclear family
A three-stranded cord is not broken easily
Satellite GPS triangulation gives locations
You, a friend and another person make a trio
A tie breaking vote maybe the third (3)
A poem which only has in it 3-line stanzas is a tercet in poetry
Some three-pointed leaves make fine green tea
A three-sided pyramid does stand enduringly
A triangular prism shows light's hidden colors beautifully
Computing has 3 main components: computers, keyboards and mouse
The U.S.A. has 3 co-equal branches of government
Lithium alkali metallic has the atomic number 3
Tricycles are rolling around on 3 circular wheels
Tripods are standing firmly on legs of three
America's first dollar main colors were white, black and green
Categories:
tricycles, bible, god, inspiration, inspirational,
Form: Free verse
What can be more pure joy,
than two four year-olds,
rrrracing their tricycles,
laughing unconditionally,
with the winds ricocheting
off their innocuous images.
What can be more utter bliss,
than sharing a meal with your
entire nuclear family,
listening to the playful banter
of generations,
tasting the spirit of recognizable
character and value.
What can be more rewarding,
than to see an individual affected
by your positive influence,
seeing them prolong the extension
of yourself,
with your intentions remaining unaware.
What can express happiness more,
than a piece of cheesecake,
a decadent display of desire,
and being able to share it with
someone you love,
even if they take more than half of it.
(11/16/92)
Categories:
tricycles, happiness, happy, heart, how
Form: Free verse
3:00 A. M. December 24th,
Nineteen Sixty-three,
labor began, too early.
Hubby, three children
sleeping, what to do?
Inspiration: Celebrate now,
the kids won't know the difference
and you won't miss the excitement
on their faces, the shining eyes,
the laughter, the hugs.
Daddy arises on request,
assembles toys and tricycles,
one day early.
Three hours later,
deposit kids with Grandma,
fast trip to the hospital.
Red roses from Papa
and healthy baby boy
bring tears of joy.
Categories:
tricycles, baby, christmas,
Form: Free verse
Written February 26, 2013
Its all this new slang
Got them banging their heads
Against their bicycle beds
And the foolhardy pledge
To ride tricycles instead
We are the kings and queens
Of the wonderful yard
Of the street corner dancers
And panhandling bards
A generation will rise
So duck and cover your eyes
We're building up through the night
No need to put up a fight
Godspeed to those approaching death
They won't get to see
What we've got coming next
You'll faint from holding your breath
This cold case is closed
No need to stay in repose
To dwell on precious regrets
That are laced with vellocet
Categories:
tricycles, death, metaphor, power, society,
Form: Lyric
My childhood was fun,
tough and exciting.
My childhood was one
where there wasn't much fighting.
This was my childhood.
My childhood was filled
with family and friends.
My childhood was filled
with love that tied up loose ends.
This was my childhood.
My childhood came
with a grandmother that cared.
When she left me
I remembered all the times we shared.
This was my childhood.
My childhood was filled
with classwork and homework.
My childhood was filled
with parents who hated work.
This was my childhood.
My childhood was filled
with fun in the hood,
and food that tasted like Campbell's,
'Umm Umm Good! '
This was my childhood.
My childhood was filled
with tricycles and bicycles.
My childhood was filled
with popsicles and Dill pickles.
This was my childhood.
My childhood was filled
with lots of happy holidays.
Holidays that aren't
just the same nowadays.
This was my childhood.
Now my childhood
has become nothing but memories,
But all the good times
will live on within me.
This was my childhood.
Categories:
tricycles, childhood, grandmother, childhood, childhood,
Form: ABC
Babies get around on wheels;
From strollers, we can hear their squeals.
Tricycles help toddlers get
To where their legs won’t take them yet.
Wheels on buses, rolling ‘round
Propel our travels off the ground.
Bicycles supply the means
For people who lack limousines.
Kids on skates roll through the parks;
Skateboards also leave their marks.
Taxis, airplanes, even trains
All have wheels for their terrains.
We don’t dwell too much on wheels.
Still, I wonder how it feels
For those whose wheelchairs do provide
The only way to get outside.
I guess we all pay much more heed
To things in life we really need.
Yet somehow, all of us rely
On tires and wheels to get us by.
Categories:
tricycles, introspection, life,
Form: Rhyme
Hop Scotch,
Whoola Hoops,
Metal Skates,
Skinned knee fates.
Tricycles,
Bicycles.
Motorcycles,
Dripping popsicles.
Hot wheels,
Pin wheels,
Bob Barker's big deals
Spinning on all wheels
Paper dolls,
Sillly phone calls,
Cartoon bits,
Howdy Doody skits.
Mickey Mouse,
Mighty Mouse,
Minny's Micky's spouse,
Vist Little Rascalls club house.
Poodle skirts,
Ben Casey shirts,
Castles made, digg'n dirt,
Boy next door, fun to flirt.
Linda Terrell
March 24, 2010
OH THOSE MEMORIES OF LONG AGO
Superman loved Lois,
Gospel our parent told us,
Ricky loves Lucille Ball,
Globe trotters, oh so tall.
The first Alvin, Simon, and Theadore,
Sweeper salesmen at our door,
In bobby socks, all girls dressed
Angora wrapped rings, We felt so blessed
Ymmm! Moms prize dessert,
Oh my the fun, of a growing spirt
Ahhh! Those memories, I am so glad,
And all the licks on my face, of the dog I had.
Nothing can now compares
No double dog dares
Saturday night isn't the same
But oh those memories, in my mind I frame.
Linda Terrell
March 24, 2010
Categories:
tricycles, funny, nostalgiadog, dog,
Form: Free verse
Lettie died, the house is empty,
No one in the family left.
Flowered sheets once used as curtains
Faded now by brilliant sunlight
Rot and crumble to the floor.
Beer and Coke cans thrown at windows,
No one seems to care;
The lock is broken, all may enter
Look! the bed where Lettie died!
The front porch sags where Lettie sat
Passing all her summer days
Diabetic and overweight,
Withdrew from life when Mama died.
Noisy tots on tricycles
Pump their legs to get on by;
The house of ghosts, or so says Grandma,
Restless souls who cannot sleep.
Categories:
tricycles, death, people, sad, house,
Form: Narrative