When Summers Used to Last Forever
The smell of grass, freshly mowed,
the heat bugs singing their tunes,
I’d get up these sun drenched mornings,
eat some cereal and watch cartoons.
I’d run down to my friend Billy’s house,
and we’d plan our day’s adventure.
Summers go by so fast now,
summers used to last forever.
Me and Billy pretended we were phone men,
perched high on telephone poles,
never leaving the top step of his front porch,
starring in our blue-collar roles.
We rode our gigs, had berry fights,
some nights we’d camp out in Billy’s trailer.
Summers go by so fast now,
summers used to last forever.
Playing sports in the middle of the road,
too young to be bothered by heat,
we’d yell “Car!” and move to the sidewalk,
when we saw one turn up our street.
Billy’s dad would let us shoot BB guns,
at beer cans down in his cellar.
Summers go by so fast now,
summers used to last forever.
We dreamed our bikes were Harleys,
balloons tied up against our spokes,
roaring up and down Kosta Street,
then down to Sundquist’s for glass bottled cokes.
Sometimes we’d go under the train tracks,
to catch frogs in the Blackstone River.
Summers go by so fast now,
summers used to last forever.
We finished school and we both got jobs,
and met girls along the way,
we bought ourselves the Harley’s,
Billy owns three of them today.
Some plans and dreams we have as kids,
change faster than the weather,
so I sold my Harley, paid some bills
and gave away my leather.
Life’s flying by so fast now,
life used to take forever.
Me and Billy don’t have the same dad,
and we didn’t have the same mother,
but Billy’s more than just my friend,
Billy’s my blood brother.
I’m living my dream now, being a dad,
and I’d gladly pay whatever,
to give my boy’s what me and Billy had,
when summers used to last forever.
A beautifully written and emotionally powerfull poem
Your generousity of spirit shines through your poetry.
cheers,
Jess
Truly a BEAUTIFUL read this
Truly a BEAUTIFUL read this early morn. Brought back so many childhood memories…thank you
And back then, the summers did seem to last forever.
peace,
donna
A beautiful read in deed I so wish I would have took that trip
with my best bud but life seems to always intervine when ever the timing was right we put baseball cards in are spokes to make the rumble sound to cheap to replace the baloons I so wish that I could give these things to my children for they seem to know very little of the simple pleasures of being around with someone or just hanging out doing whatever using your imaganations was the best toys we had growning up I have the time now and God willing soon the money to take that ride even if I got to go it alone now I still need to get it done Sinbad/Donnie
Tom
My friend, this makes me ache for times gone by. A heartfelt piece from a man that hasn’t forgotten the real good times when young. This is poetry at its best my friend. This is what poetry is about. Capturing the moments like an old brownie camera and showing them to everyone. It read very smoothly except a couple of spots which I can find no way to change w/o losing the integrity of the piece. Also, knowing you, this is written to a tune running through your mind as I write the same way at time, actually a lot of the time. Those who haven’t read this are missing out. 5 out of 5 for you on this one.
Respectfully,
Rett:
“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” Winston Churchill
wow, Tom...
I miss being a kid, and hanging out with my friends too. Everything just seemed so easy then. My biggest worry was which parent would find the empty ice cream container first, and come lookin’ for me! There were no taxes, rent, employment, family, and retirement problems at that age. Some of me would give anything to go back to that stage. Your poem touches nice on the reminiscing of youth and days gone past. Good job!
~Jess K.
————————————————————————————
“As I was going up the stair, I met a man who was not there, he wasn’t there again today, I wish that man would go away!”
Thanks Jess
It seems so long ago, yet again, it seems like only yesterday.
Thanks for your kind words.
Tom
Powerful reading
Smiles:)
Barbara
A great write. enjoyed this a lot
Congrats on evolution Tom.
Well deserved.
Rett:
“This way to the Great Egress” P.T. Barnum
What really strikes me
re-reading this in Evolution, is that an extraordinarily beautiful poet can also be a dumb jingoist. Really weird. Never replied to your political comments as I have to Rett’s because yours were so uninformed and stupid. Perhaps if you didn’t make such obviously wrong assertions as oil is not a cause of war I could take you more seriously.
cheers,
Jess
Jess
Be nice, I am tired of arguing points right now and leave it be. Don’t start it up again with someone else.
Rett:
“This way to the Great Egress” P.T. Barnum
Quite right, my apologies to Tom and yourself.
My original comment on this poem stands and it is a pity I can’t delete this stupid nasty one.
Truly sorry,
Jess