American Dream

The American Dream at long last it stood

On a busy corner at old highway 25

Built solid of cement rock and wood

A full service station with deli came alive.

 

The Leger Store the sign proudly displayed

A name respected in the small community

Homemade dumplings ready on any given day

With fried chicken, green beans and gravy.

 

RC Cola in bottles and chocolate Moonpies

One cent candy in jars for a penny

People waved and honked as they drove by

To the locals on the porch talking plenty

 

A stop-off for railroaders on their way

To sights of Kentucky coal mines

A respite for the tire store workers nearby

Listening to the tune, ‘Sweet Cherry wine’

 

I remember those days as a curly redhead

Running in the door to hear the bell

Seeing my grandparents resonates with me still

Handing out hugs and fun stories to tell

 

I grew up there watching the store change hands

When my mamaw and papaw had died

My father leased the store out to others

In efforts to keep the family dreams alive.

 

When my daddy passed on all he left

Was a shell of memories and that’s all

My sisters and I unable to fix

The Leger store was destined to fall.

 

I went back there one day to visit my memories

Of a place I longed to be as a child

I couldn’t find the porch swing or the welcome

Sign ; the legacy too had died.

 

There is nothing there now but gravel and dirt

On an empty plot of once was

An American Dream I adored as a child

The Leger Store , “Stop by, visit us”.