Coke Bottles Are Worth a Nickel

https://soundcloud.com/user-74706948/coke-bottles-are-worth-a-nickel-by-james-andersen

Growing up Southern;
kind not seen on TV,
the old tin trailer,
window unit air conditioner,
always facing the road.

School pictures every year,
fresh hair cut and thrift store suit.
Hold that smile, no retakes,
the proofs going in the album --
"boy ain't you grow'n up"

Hee Haw reruns keep grandpa happy,
reminding him of a time that never was.
That's alright, though, 
we like to hear about it anyway --
Bedtime stories before he leaves,
Got to clean the tanks at the paint factory.

Work in the garden all summer long
fighting weeds while momma cleans houses.
Daddy left to look for work about four years ago.
He ain't found it yet, but we still see him.
He lives with his girlfriend just down the road.

Coke bottles are worth a nickel,
"so pick 'em up."

Author's Note

A revised version with an audio link.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

A slice of life poem. Maybe life was not peachy, but it was YOUR life and I sense there was a lot of love coming from your mom in that old tin trailer. We all knew the value of a nickel back then....and we worked from a young age. I can remember babysitting for fifty cents an hour and then giving my parents some of that money. They are our memories and they make us who we are. Well written. Lydi**

[James]

Yes, it is our memories who make us who we are. As much as I don't miss that trailer, I do miss growing up then and there.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it's how it was...i remember turning coke bottles in for nickels...

i remember my trailers with the window units...loud, humming things---fell asleep to the drone of it...

and hee haw...one of my farmer friends...at his house on weekends...watched it on saturday at six...funny stuff..

simple life...it is good...you bring me back to much of it...

it was different, but to many it seems like we live in some nostalgic dream of what never happened.

this one really caught my heart...and memory.

just left Carolina, visiting my old dad...97...stories...old stories...how it was during the depression,
he watched babe ruth play at yankee stadium when he was a kid...those memories are real, even if they seem impossible...

j.

[James]

How awesome is that, to have seen the Babe play. Hope you had a good trip...Boone? if so it's a great time of year to visit. I'm glad this took you back a little.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, Boone, well actually Deep Gap...right above it.
i felt it was awesome as a kid to see The Mick play at the stadium...and Yogi, and Moose and Gil and Whitey Ford and all,...but Ruth? yes, and his favorite player was Jolting Joe.

[Cuppa tea]

I love how you created a whole story with characters, background and setting, all in so few words. It reminds me of one of John Steinbeck's books; similar theme and style, really amazing!

[James]

Thank you so much. It makes sense to me, but I wasn't sure if anyone else would get it.

[barleygirl]

This is amazing! What I like the best is the way it's a bit of a dreary portrait, but it's not told with a bit of melodrama, resentment, or even hopefulness. It's just a poignantly-told description of how life is for many people, then & now. So matter-of-fact . . . & the ending is perfect for the way this is told. I really appreciate the imagery, since I grew up around much of the same. It's not exactly a nostalgic stroll, but weirdly satisfying becuz of the way you captured it so realistically.

[James]

Kind of an odd memory I guess. I'm glad you enjoyed it. But, no regrets, no anger, resentment or hopefulness, just the way it was and still is for some.