She’s
seen many a season come and go
That
old country store was one of a kind
Those
big welcome doors were always open
It
was the place to go and buy on time
A
watering hole for the community
Meeting
up with the locals was a daily trend
A
way of life they all came to depend
A
weekly, anticipated trip to the that old store
To
pick up supplies or pay on a bill
Was
a pleasure that could never be denied
To
everyone that came, it was certainly a big deal
Wagons carried chickens, eggs and cream
That
good homemade butter was the best of all
For
a pound of coffee, sugar, a sack of flour
They
were all in it for the long haul
Many
rabbits came straight from the traps
In
exchange for tobacco or a Christmas gift
Those
big bolts of yard goods looked so good
To
the women folks, their spirits did lift
Oh
how those candy jars stood out the most
Sitting
on the counter so large and tall
That
array of penny candy sure looked tasty
Plenty
of children would still recall
Or
those big barrels sitting in the corner
Filled
with pickles, potatoes or seed
With
a little extra money in the pockets
A
chance for some much needed chicken feed
That
old pot bellied stove sitting in the middle
Became a familiar sight for all to see
Always
surrounded by a couple of chairs
And
the famous spittoon and its popularity
And
that old building acquired so many names
The
local post office was in the back
Many
jobs for the proprietor surely did grow
Even
an undertaker, nothing did he lack
That
weathered old building gave so much
A
useful, old place where wonders never cease
Where
skills became plentiful for pulling teeth
Or
when the need arose, justice of the peace
The
welcome sign was always there
From
the time they entered till closing of day
A
busy, old place filled with warmth and cheer
Open
Monday through Saturday, closed on Sunday
Now
it sits empty and feels so all alone
Knowing
things will never be like it was before
Where
many came and went and the living was good
And
anything could be found at the old country store
© Susie Swanson, 2019
I remember a similar place. There was a sign that read: No Spitting in the Floor, and some older men sitting by the stove swapping stories. I was mainly interested in the penny candy!
ReplyDeleteThere are few of those around any more, but there still are a few. A slower pace of life for sure.
ReplyDeleteSusie, I love your poem about the old store. So many things in one small building in those days. I actually saw a store such as this in a small town in Kentucky about 10 years ago. Men were eating bologna and cheese sandwiches around an old pot bellied stove. I felt like I had gone back in a time long ago. Blessings to you. Hope you rae feeling well. My Teddy is doing much better today. Love you sweet friend, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteFun poem about this lively place, Susie. I never really experienced this type of country store, but I bet it was a neat place to visit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful poem to take a person back in time. We had one of those little country stores where I grew up in PA...and I remember the icy cold cooler where you could reach down and grab a bottle of soda pop for a nickel. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by my blog today, too---xo Diana