Thursday, August 9, 2012

When I Think Of Summer



                                                  When I think of summer
                                                  it comes to mind so clear
                                                  my childhood summers from yesterday
                                                  oh how I loved them dear

                                                  When school days were at end
                                                  and the ringing of the last bell
                                                  my feet hit the ground running
                                                  down every road and trail

                                                  Riding an old, rusted bicycle
                                                  over the hills I did leap
                                                  building a playhouse in the woods
                                                  or playing in the cold, icy creek

                                                  Picking blackberries in early morning
                                                  more chigger scratching to do
                                                  wading through big mud puddles
                                                  oh that dreadful toe itch too

                                                  Playing outside after dark
                                                  catching lightning bugs in a jar
                                                  lying on a blanket covered ground
                                                  gazing at the sky, counting every star

                                                  Playing ball on a Sunday afternoon
                                                  in a big meadow, tall and green
                                                  rolling down the hills in the tall grass
                                                  the most fun I've ever seen

                                                  Eating high on the hog
                                                  until the gardens were through
                                                  helping mama with the canning
                                                  with anticipation of winter too

                                                  My list could go on and on
                                                  so many reminders and so real
                                                  some things never do change
                                                  like the sound of a whopper will

                                                  Free as a bird in the wind
                                                  with so many things to do
                                                  those wonderful, childhood summers
                                                  were the best I ever knew

                                                  Susie Swanson, 2012

29 comments:

  1. Oh, wow, I wish I had those summers!

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  2. I don't seem to enjoy them as much as I did then. The memories are best.

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  3. What cherished chldhood memories. Oh to be that care free child once again. So well put in your poetry of life. Loe reading your writing Susie. Brings joy to the heart.
    Blessings

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    1. Thank you Bethe.. Oh yes if we could only go back to that simple time and be a kid again..Thank you so much..

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  4. Free as a bird in the wind, isn't that the perfect way to describe summer? What a nice poem, Susie. I hope you are enjoying the summer days.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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    1. Thank you Sheri, yes I am but I enjoy Fall more.. It's my favorite.. I really enjoyed the simpler summers more..Hope you're enjoying it too..

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  5. Very nice, Susie! This brought back great memories of my own childhood summers. :)

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  6. I have a lot of those same memories - a sweeter, simpler, more innocent time for sure. Beautiful, Susie!

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  7. Wonderful memories and reflections... Beautiful prose!

    http://thejoyfulservant.com

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  8. This poem took me back to those childhood days...I did all those things, except my mama never grew a garden, but a neighbor lady did, and she taught me about stuff like crab grass, and how eating a greenbean from the vine is soooo much better than the soggy ones that come from a can!

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    1. Hi again Susie,
      I just back tracked through your previous posts and want to let you know I will be praying for your brother and also for the families of the men who were killed...My husband works for our county road commission, and has had a close call on the job as well, although he was hit by a car and knocked from the equipment he was on, he was alright, and nobody else got hurt or killed.
      You are so right that we must always treasure our loved ones each and every day!
      ~God bless~

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    2. Thank you so much Lisa for visiting and the sweet words..So very sorry to hear about your husband..I'm glad he didn't get hurt bad or worse.. We just never know when something like this is going to happen..Thank you for praying and I hope to hear from you soon..You are in my thoughts and prayers..

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  9. Hi Susie, This was very enjoyable and brought back fond memories.

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  10. Hi Susie, what a beautiful poem! Your memories of childhood take me instantly back in time and your words are so refreshing to my heart. I can feel the the cold water of the creek splashing on my feet and taste the wild blackberries! I wish that we could become children again for a day and that I could come visit you and play in the woods and feel as "free as a bird on the wind"! Have a lovely evening ahead. With Love, Delisa :)

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    1. Thank you Delisa, oh yes to be young again..you have a nice evening as well.

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  11. Susie, If your poem is a reflection of your childhood, we have some of the same memories. Not rich, by a long shot. Actually poor.But we found our fun in playing the summer through. Barefoot too, I bet. Smiles, xo, Susie

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    1. Thanks Susie.. We are kindred friends.. Both with the same memories..yes and barefoot too..

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  12. Thanks for sharing the great childhood memories, Susie. Love it!

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  13. I have similar childhood memories. The poem is beautiful

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I am now following your blog.
    Beth

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    1. Thank you Beth, I so enjoyed your post and blog..Glad to have you aboard and I'm sure to visit you often..

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  14. Wonderful poem about summer... I sometimes forget the fun I had as a child during the summer... These days I don't care much for summer ---but I loved it when I was a child.. Thanks for the great memories.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  15. We loved summer when we were kids. What fun it was, no video games or computers, but lots of running and playing outside.

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