I REMEMBER

A FROG A DOG AND AN OLD TOM CAT

A TAPED LOUISVILLE SLUGGER BAT

RUN DOWN, RED BALL SNEAKER SHOES

CUTS AND SCABS AND AN ELBOW BRUISE

POLICE ATHLETIC BOYS' CLUB BOXING

CHRISTMAS TREE FORTS AND ALSO THE STOCKING

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER OF MY BOYHOOD YEARS

BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN

A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AND HEAVEN

CHEWING STREET TAR AND STEALING TOMATOES

CHOPPED FRIED EGGS ON MY MASHED POTATOES

SUMMER SAUSAGE SANDWICHES WITH GOOD SWEITZER CHEESE

COURDUROY NICKERS WITH HOLES IN THE KNEES

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER OF MY BOYHOOD YEARS

ROY ROGERS MOVIES AT THE OLD STRAND THEATER

DRYING WET SWEAT SOCKS ON THE BATH ROOM HEATER

PLAYING SAND LOT FOOTBALL IN THE YARD NEXT DOOR

WATCHING CAVALCADE OF SPORTS FROM THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR

BELLYGUT LAUGHS AND HORROR MOVIE FEARS

ALLY-ALLY-IN-FREE AND CLOTHES FROM SEARS

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER OF MY BOYHOOD YEARS

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE WRESTLING MATCHES

ITCHY POISON IVY AND PET KITTEN SCRATCHES

KICK THE CAN AND HOP SCOTCH SQUARES

SITTING IN THE SUN ON THE BACK PORCH STAIRS

STORIES ABOUT ADVENTURE READ OUT LOUD

BY A SEVENTH GRADE TEACHER, A BEAUTY TO BE PROUD

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER OF MY BOYHOOD YEARS

A RED RYDER RIFLE ON A CAMPING TRIP

LANDING IN THE SURF FROM A HAND SPRING FLIP

THE PRETTY DEN MOTHER OF MY CUB SCOUT PACK

SMASHING PENNIES FLAT ON THE RAILROAD TRACK

MERIT BADGE PROJECTS AND BOY SCOUT HIKES

LITTLE RED WAGONS AND BIG SCHWINN BIKES

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER OF MY BOYHOOD YEARS

WEENIE ROAST MARSHMALLOWS ON A LONG THIN STICK

ASKED TO SMILE PRETTY BEFORE THE BROWNIE CLICK

MARCHING BANDS PLAYING ON THE 4TH OF JULY

STANDING AT ATTENTION AS THE FLAG WENT BY

FIREWORKS BURSTING IN THE LATE NIGHT SKY

IT MADE THE LITTLE CHILDREN FUSS AND CRY

THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER OF MY BOYHOOD YEARS

WHEN TIME ROLLS BY AND ALL IS SAID AND DONE

AND YOU ARE STANDING IN THE TWILIGHT SUN

REMINISCING ABOUT THE PAST AND SO MANY THINGS

LIKE POLICE CAR SIRENS AND MAGICIAN'S RINGS

I'M SURE YOU'LL REMEMBER ALL OF YOUR CHILDHOOD YEARS

SEEN SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT THROUGH LOOKING GLASS MIRRORS

C.K.R.

6/28/94