The Nevermores mined childhood memories for poems this week.
I’m about to give away my age… Remember glass milk bottles delivered by the milkman? And wooden clothespins — for hanging laundry because nobody had dryers. Pennies — before they became irrelevant.
My favorite birthday was full of games and prizes and one big chocolate cake. I may have turned 8 that year. All I wanted was to have my friends come play in their party dresses. I’m pretty sure I opened presents like Colorforms, paper dolls, and a 64-box of Crayolas that year.
I still love chocolate cake on my birthday.
It’s #PoetryFriday!
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Michelle Kogan has the round up this week, and a Father’s Day tribute via doting sandpiper dads.
Patricia Franz is a kidlit writer and published poet. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
These memories resonate… but for me they come from 5 or 6 years old! My family lived in a house by the railroad tracks. My sister was a toddler, and my brothers were not born yet.I liked a cherry pie for my birthday then!
Oh, I do love this, Patricia, and Happy Birthday! I also remember a game dropping those clothespins that didn’t open & shut into the glass milk bottles for a game. And, the “penny” loafers – yes! I still love artists’ renditions of a clothes line, remember hiding behind the sheets. Enjoy your special day!
Patricia, your poem brings back fond memories of childhood days and chocolate cake. Thanks for the ride down memory lane. Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend.
Patricia, I love the action words you included in your childhood memories poem. I fondly remember my childhood. Thanks for reminding me to think about it. Enjoy Father’s Day weekend.
I especially love the last line of your poem–memories a million miles ago.
Yes, I remember thinking a 64-box of Crayola crayons was the best thing ever!
Happy birthday, Patricia!
I remember the glass milk bottles from when I was very young, but I don’t live in the US so I’m not sure of timelines.
Your poem made me smile. It felt like a memory.
You’ve given me a portal back in time…good memories for me too.
Much to my mother’s chagrin, I found a million alternative uses for those clothespins, including clamping playing cards onto my bike wheels for the cool sound effect. Loved the poem and its “a million miles ago.”
Happy Birthday, Patricia! Enjoy that chocolate cake!
Yup, I remember the clothespin game, penny loafers, musical chairs, and party dresses. And chocolate cake never goes out of style. 🙂 A sweet poem, Patricia!
Colorforms! I haven’t thought about those in years! Thanks for the memories, Patricia. (now I’m craving chocolate cake 😉 )
Grand poem for all those memories, and what a cake, so many treats here, thanks Patricia!