Tuesday, January 22, 2019

The Old Country Store




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
They traded many stories and bartered too
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

5 comments:

  1. 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!

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  2. There are few of those around any more, but there still are a few. A slower pace of life for sure.

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  3. Susie, 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

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  4. Fun 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.

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  5. What 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.

    Thanks for popping by my blog today, too---xo Diana

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