There was a day when I took my first step and I felt so proud and all grown up
I wasn’t looking to the left or to the right and when my bike crashed my face was a fright
That was way back when the sky was blue and babies had daddies who were honest and true
Cars had four on the floor and power to spare and they drove about with little a car
There was one McDonalds for miles around and the only thing they made were burgers a pound
Grandma’s cooking was better, everything made from scratch and the door was never closed certainly never latched
I remember first day my shoes white polished and prayer in school had yet to be abolished
We stood in a line straight and true and pledged allegiance to our country’s red white and blue
Our teachers were kind-hearted they knew every child and when we were misbehaving they never got too riled
We valued telling the truth, doing our best and we always were rewarded by a choice from a treasure chest
But that was back so long ago when the sky was blue and founding fathers were still being true
I giggle now at the girls and our thoughts the first real dance and the nice boys we sought
Plastered down and slick was their hair with a crisp dance card we filled with so much care
The jitter- bug was the real true test and we watched for the couple who danced the very best
It is true those days are over now crumpled, dog- eared and buried some how
But I remember the telling of the first pair of jeans my dad never washed tho they couldn’t stay clean
my grandpa polished daily his first Chevrolet and at eighty he remembered the glories of those days
At six or seven we wide eyed held our breath as the first moon men for humanity took a step
We dreamed and we talked of fast rocket ships of Buck Rogers future galaxy trips
mom and dad would never grow old because science would do something to cure the cold
It is sad those first days are over now and we fly in tin cans that crash but I don’t know how
The breeze still whispers of tyranny’s step but how could they remake it so soon to forget
The chants have broken through it’dark once again and people are remiss to turn from their sins
What glass will be shattered what lives will be lost has the world forgotten the astonishing cost?
But I guess they don’t remember like some of us do the way grandma scrimped and saved for me and for you
She barred the windows offered safety from within silently they waited praying against “The Bitter End”
She looked with her eyes to the heart of a man and she taught me to love no matter if it was banned
“Stay true to what I taught you though it may go out of style but child God is watching and will carry us the last mile”
For those who went before me I still remember the cost and names forever sunken in Pearl Harbor dearly lost
Today I hitch my arthritis and I carry my grey head I pledge my allegiance to ideals not yet dead
This poem is shared with Poets United “The Day of Infamy” which we remember on December 7th. Are we bound to repeat rather than learn from History?
“No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God.”
part of FDR’s speech – he was President once. http://history1900s.about.com/od/franklindroosevelt/a/Day-Of-Infamy-Speech.htm
Those good old days, shall we see them again, when the sky was crystal clear and no smog to make us sick.
Dear Leslie,
your poem reminds me of the good old days, thank you for this treat.
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Such delightful memories…those first events…truly cannot be matched.
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Wow! I loved every word!
“But that was back so long ago when the sky was blue and founding fathers were still being true …” I love the memories so specific so that the return to Grandmother’s advice recalls the entire safety of childhood even when it’s not so safe:
“She looked with her eyes to the heart of a man and she taught me to love no matter if it was banned
“Stay true to what I taught you though it may go out of style but child God is watching and will carry us the last mile”
I do not like your bombs falling — they pull half my attention–but that’s part of the experience of this brilliant poem–how attention is shattered so that it’s both hard and crucial to remember what has value. Bravo!
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Sorry I need to find how I can dismantle the snow – I set it up years ago. They look like ice bombs. Thanks Sherry I was convicted by the contrast of what those things our parents went through and the choices we are faced with today. Perhaps the news itself is like a daily bomb…
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You took me back to those days so wonderfully. I remember the watching to see who danced the best. I can envision my grandma’s horror at the humping and crotch-grabbing that they call dancing today. OMG! A wonderfully evocative write!!!!
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I came upon a dance card of my dad’s from highschool not long ago it just told me a story…
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For all we gain in life’s journey we lose something too. Simple uncomplicated lives recalled with yearning as we see our grandchildren growing up now without the building blocks that made us. Great post Moonwriter.
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Beautifully expressed, Leslie.
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Well penned! I love the pics too. I’m cracking up at the explanation that “[FDR] – was president once.” I have to assume this is because you felt someone might not know this to be true… Which would likely be correct.
Best,
-JR
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wonderfulllll 🙂
esp. loved that last line
“Today I hitch my arthritis and I carry my grey head I pledge my allegiance to ideals not yet dead”
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What a collection of turning points.
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Stiring words, Leslie. The greatest Generation followed the forgotten WWI Generation that raised them to be the greatest.
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