By Miss July 2014, Dorothy Johnson
Remember When
I grew up in a great neighborhood in a time when we enjoyed a freedom that today’s kids will never experience. Occasionally, the flicker of lightning bugs, clatter of cicadas or unmistakable smell of honeysuckle transports me back to those early years. It happened recently, inspiring me to try to capture such a day in verse.
Summertime Moments
Shifting shadows and a cicada chorus stir
Up recollections of early years before
Mom worked and being out of school
Meant sleeping late and
Eating buttered toast at the end of the kitchen, then
Rocketing outside barefoot to play
‘Til Noon when we’d straggle back
In for bacon and tomato sandwiches on white bread, slathered with
Miracle Whip, not mayonnaise, because Daddy liked it better.
Even now I can taste that juicy-tangy-savory staple.
Mostly we ran in a pack, that is, until the
Ornery boys sped off on their bikes, leaving Judy and
Me to hunt for 4-leaf clovers, or play jacks—all the while, steeping in
Envy of their freedom because they were bigger, but
Not too big to later play Mama, May I? and Swing the Statue until
Twilight when we chased fireflies across the lawn.
Such are the thoughts that drift in on honeysuckle breezes.
Courtesy of Debbie Hoofman
This is my last post as Miss July. Being featured in this spot has been the highlight of my summer. I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to read my posts. I also want to say thank you to the women who connect us with one another and new writing opportunities. Thank you for all the time you devote to the Arkansas Women Bloggers’ website and for the way you continually coach and encourage us. You Are Awesome!
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the AWB University in September!
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
I have thoroughly enjoyed your posts. This one, especially, brought back lots of sweet, summer memories for me. See you in September:)
Thank you, Debbie, for reading and commenting. As I said in my post, appearing in this space has been the high point of my summer.
Creative to the Max and Nostalgic squared!
One might think we grew up in the same neighborhood. Such is the magic of small town Arkansas, whatever end of the state.
You are a beautiful Miss July
Lovely poem that brings back memories of my childhood too. We had a white honeysuckle in our yard. I enjoyed your Miss July posts, Dorothy!
I enjoyed this so much. I have a picture almost the same with an old truck back in 1948/49. Life was sure different back then– some good things /some bad things. Life really is fully of changes. You place a special sweetness on the things I’ve read.
Reminds me of so many things in my childhood. Making chains of clover, tying poor June bugs on a string, playing Red Rover or Tug of War. lying on the grass and looking up at the stars, taking shower baths in the rain, knowing not to dare throw our ball into the yard of the neighbor or walk on her grass, making paint from clay,and ink from Elder berries. Your poem was great too.
Hi Dorothy, this takes me back to the wonderful years we had as children growing up in Searcy. What a good time we had and by todays standard we had “Nothing” but, we had caring parents and love abound and too many friends to mention. Thanks for sharing your post with us.
geno
I have so enjoyed all your Miss July posts! I certainly connected to this one.
Dorothy, you nailed it. This was life in small town America. What a period of time to grow up in! Brought back so many memories of wonderful times! Thank you !
Great last post, Dorothy! Have enjoyed your being our cover girl for this month! 😀