I remember jumping rope on the sidewalk
and games of hopscotch and hide and seek
with other kids on the block.
I remember children's laughter
happy and carefree
and the sweetness of apples
picked from the tree.
I remember tart and crimson wild cherries
and my lips stained from eating blackberries.
I remember people and houses
from the old neighborhood
and the magic and wonder that was my childhood.
I remember the circus and the swing in the park
and always being home before it turned dark.
I remember my youth's freedom, its fun and it's joys
and dolls, bicycles and many, many toys.
I remember a small plastic pool and a tent
in the backyard
and all the wonderful things before life turned hard...
I remember swimming and boating
at a nearby lake
and the deliciousness of each birthday cake.
I remember Christmas, Easter and Halloween
and vacations in summer, bubblegum and rainbow
ice cream.
I remember bringing home baby birds, caterpillars and
even frogs
and vegetable gardens, carnivals and cute puppy dogs.
I remember school- the teachers and kids
and making good grades
and baseball, riding horses and watching parades.
I remember everything I felt
and everything I did-
a lifetime ago, when I was a kid.