Back Then

By skinner_jennifer

Thu, 05 Oct 2017
  • 2322 reads
8 comments
 

Photo is my own.

 

 

 

 

 

As kids we

measured

each moment

in the yawning

of nightfall,

 

when nocturnal sleep

would carry me peacefully

into dreaming of treasure

as a pirates life would call,

 

each summer day our gangs were

chosen on the flipping of a coin –

being somewhat fickle as we were

back then playing in the sunshine,

 

flirting with danger – our ships sailing on

oceans of shady woodland's charm, bounty

well hidden neath scrub and snapping twigs;

flickering up high on slight branches of trees,

 

as those kids with determination

climbed the trunks of each mast,

hanging each twinkling jewel

and treasure we had amassed,

 

bright shiny buttons,

glistening beads; plastic

figures from lucky bags

that came with sweeties.

 

Engaging in secrets,

ships were destroyed;

disputes we had many,

like in Lord Of The Flies.

 

But in the end, when all's said

and done, we were only kids

pretending, learning how to

grow up back then.

Certificate U
Poem
Scrap Book Of Memories
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

ah, we play at growing up, but it comes too soon. 

 

Submitted by hedgehog1 on

What memories you have evoked with your writing Jenny. I think all of us of a certain age had great fun just being outside all day building dens and inventing games to play. (It never rained did it!!) I'm sure it was a much better grounding of life than our grandchildren have today. You have done it again for me as it reminds me of "Black Jacks", "Sherbet Dips" and "Frozen Jubblies" to mention just a few. Thank you once again for reawakening my past.

Edward

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

So true, the imaginary games of children played out on long summer days, carefree and fun- but all the time taking those baby steps towards adulthood....

great poem...very evocative of those childhood days spent playing make believe with friends.

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Too true Jack, too true. Those times as children are so precious and so short.

Thanks so much for stopping by to read.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Edward,

I was a bit of a tom boy as a child and playing at being pirates was one of our most favourite games. Yes you're right about never being indoors. Like you said, it never rained and daylight hours just weren't long enough.

Like you, I remember well Black Jacks and Sherbert Dips and those Frozen Jubblies, that were so welcome on a hot sunny day...always used to leave you with an orange tongue if I recall correctly,smiley Big Smilles from me.

I'm so pleased I could reawaken the past for you and it's always a pleasure to know you enjoyed.

Many thanks for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Really glad you liked this one Penny. It's always nice to think back on those times when we had no real cares and life was just about getting lost in adventures. Summer holidays were always the best, weren't they?

Do you know, I love that word Evoke! It always sums up so much for me in todays world. Now it's good to realise we've not lost that sense of adventure and can put into words what we're feeling as writers. That's what life is all about, Evoking those thoughts.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

Glad you enjoyed and appreciate you stopping by to read.

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

As has been said, Jenny, you draw a picture of children's play well. I liked the phrase 'yawning of nightfall' very much! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

I had so much fun writing this poem with all the memories, so It's good to know you enjoyed reading and I'm grateful to you for letting me know.

Many thanks.

Jenny. smiley