November 25, 2013
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There Was A Time Not Long Ago
There was a time not long ago
When all seemed attainable and sure
Pure days that ran together without change
A many-colored canvas bright
With innocence of artless sun-filled thrallThere was a time not long ago
When snow-clogged streets became the playgrounds of our gods
Sun-struck streets that also split with August heat
Tar dug from cobbles wadded into bitter gum
And every hour sparkled with the marvel of it allThere was a time not long ago
Ground peach-pits round brown finger-grips
We rode the backs of trolleys
To watch our Giants and our Yanks stretch summer hits
And there were day-dreams in our post-game ballThere was a time not long ago
We picked the supper dandelions in Divello's fields
And fished the City-Island's flounder fens
Burned red for lack of sun-screen we could not afford
And prayed to soar beyond our brightening pallThere was a time not long ago
From the roof of an ancient tenement high on our hill
We see a smogless panoramic brilliance
The tallest buildings of the world
With love in our arms that fourteenth fallWhen every hour sparkled with the marvel of it all
Comments (3)
You have captured the brilliance of youth and dreaming when summers lasted a lifetime!
WOW! Just wow! This exemplary narrative made me catch my breath. I felt like I was with you and your friends on those streets and playing and laughing and loving the tallest building in the world. Yes, it all seems like yesterday, for all the similar memories that I have also. Thank you for this beautiful rendition of aged charm.
Wonderful! I too have memories of such innocence. Your words lighten the heart for a moment. p.s. I have left you a number of e-mails. I'm thinking you did not receive any of them?
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