Once, When I Was Just A Lad (days of my youth)

Unmeterted Quatrains

˜'~·• Once, When I Was Just A Lad •·~'˜ 

~ sometimes, we learn so young ~ 

˜'~·•*•·~'˜ 

Once, when I was just a lad 

I would run and laugh and play, 

Look at ants 'n bugs real close 

finding out their every way. 

~·•*•·~ 

Catch fireflies in a jar 

fly beetles on a string, 

Run and jump and laugh 

so very high I'd swing. 

~·•*•·~ 

Pick flowers in the meadows 

watch other children's fun, 

Lay in cool grass gazing stars 

in excitement greet the sun. 

~·•*•·~ 

I could smile and say then, 

"I love you Uncle Bill," 

He had the red brick house 

high up on the hill. 

~·•*•·~ 

He married my Aunt Kate 

she was the sweetest of them all, 

They wanted to keep me there, 

but their fervent hopes did fall. 

~·•*•·~ 

My mother, she had left me 

said she wanted me no more, 

When she came back again 

they all said, "She's a w***e!" 

~·•*•·~ 

I did not know what it meant 

'cause I loved her pretty ways, 

When she came to get me 

I was joyful in my naive days. 

~·•*•·~ 

Then, she left me once more 

this time was with a friend, 

Who had with me her way … 

they took me off in the end. 

~·•*•·~ 

To live with Uncle Charlie 

and his wife, Aunt Mae, 

They would beat me anytime 

I got in their busy way. 

~·•*•·~ 

Then, came Uncle Button 

and loud Aunt Lola, too, 

He beat me with a strop 

she'd hit me with her shoe. 

~·•*•·~ 

Uncle Raymond did not beat me 

he locked me in the shed, 

Aunt Ruth would take her broom 

and strike me on the head. 

~·•*•·~ 

But it was Grandpa Smith 

that I remember best, 

He burnt my back one day 

for being such a pest. 

~·•*•·~ 

But, I loved them all 

as best I ever could, 

Gave them hugs and kisses 

and tried to be so good. 

~·•*•·~ 

Ya know? I never truly did 

figure out just what I did, 

To make them all so want 

to get rid of “that darn kid”. 

~·•*•·~ 

'Cause all I really did was 

try to hold-on tight and say, 

"I'll be a good boy, please 

if you don't send me away!" 

~·•*•·~ 

But, they never seemed to listen 

they said the money it was tight, 

Then, they yelled real loud at me 

left me alone most every night. 

~·•*•·~ 

When they went out to dance 

to laugh and sing and drink, 

They locked me in the closet 

next to their bathroom sink. 

~·•*•·~ 

It was in the darkness there 

I learned all my best dreams, 

Twas in this tiny room 

I planned the loveliest schemes. 

~·•*•·~ 

It was my only world 

where I felt quite purely me, 

I could go just anywhere 

I ever wanted to be free. 

~·•*•·~ 

Then, the spark within me 

began to brightly glow, 

Alas, I stand before you now 

the man..the poet you've all 

~·•*•·~ 

˜'~·• Come to know •·~'˜ 

|

Smiles ’n hugs! 

|

˜'~·•*•·~'˜

Richard W. Jenkins

©1986

RUNNER-UP WINNER

"Something Personal"

Writing Contest

Author's Note

Constructive critique is always welcome. : )

Reviews

[Cherrie Palmer]

Children need so very little to be happy. A safe place to rest their head, alittle understanding and love. Broken selfish people only know how to destroy.
Your poem is filled with heart break, but might let someone else know they are not the only one.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Cherrie Dear 🍎

How sweet of you to patiently endure through the plethora of lines and verses in this mammoth piece of autobiographical spiel.
Depending on the child, of course, I completely agree you; especially, in my own incidence … but, I've seen children so spoiled and privileged that there's no pleasing them.

Thank you, Beautiful, for sharing your always deeply understanding heart and soul!
Warmest hugs! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Angelheart1]

Being new on this site I've been hopping around reading many different genre's - but this has to be the most heartbreaking piece that I've ever read. I am teary-eyed as I write these words and pray that by allowing your words to flow from your heart and soul that it has theraputically helped you in some way.

Richard, I'm looking forward to reading more of your words and know that I'll be stopping by your pages often for your words appear to be those of a sincere and sensitive man.

[Richard🖌]

You've dearly blessed me, M'Lady!
Hugs 'n most thankful smiles of grateful warmth to you! ⁓ Richard

[Teresa Elde]

The words flow quite smoothly and carry quite a story with them. It is one of those poems I will likely return to read again several times before I've had my fill. Good work.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Teresa! : )
How sweetly your words of praise and expressed appreciation touch my heart … thank you ever-so warmly! ⁓ Richard

[Philip Muls]

From experience or just imagination, it evokes strong emotions. Well done, must not have been easy. I would appreciate if you could review my first words submitted today. Kind regards, Philip

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Philip, for your thoughtful and understanding words in review and praise.
This piece is a true recounting, and as such, I found it to be excellent therapy at the time I wrote it.
That you would read it more than this once is gratifying and inspirational … thank you!
Philip, I am a poet and a teacher of poetry, but I am not qualified to critique stories or books, but having said that, I have looked-in on your short post and will this once, but make no promises that my comments will be helpful to you! 〜 Richard

[Eternal Devotion]

From a tale of a child's innocence who's hopes and dreams are limitless, to a heart braking story of a broken home and loss of hope. Then when all seems lost the dreams reignite. Beautiful, thrilling and well written. Love your work! 100/100

[emmajoy]

'Twas in this tiny room .. .. I planned the loveliest schemes ~·•*•·~ It was my only world .. .. where I felt quite purely me, .. .. I could go just anywhere .. .. I ever wanted to be free. '

True or not - to write such words shows fiercely imagined understanding if not experience. The characters, family and friends (horrific, one and all) might only be sketched but are so thickly defined i felt their cruelty. And you know, somehow i could understand how that child could still want to please.. to feel love .. that's innocence personified.

[Richard🖌]

All true, Em, and so much more … how wonderful to have finally dealt with it all and to be able to release it into the forgiving, healing realm of poetry.
Thank you for your always warm, understanding, caring words from your lovely heart … happy hugs to you! ⁓ Richard : )

[Annie Gryphon]

That's something different now, dear Richard. (I see it's an early work). It flows so easily and first i expected a funny story. Then baaaaangg! I can see the whole bunch, like in a movie, very speedy, full of energy. A long story in a little poem. I like it and i'm curious what else you have in store. Have a good weekend!

[Richard🖌]

M'Dear Annie Sweet,
I revel in the warm effulgence of your always embracing caresses of understanding and appreciation I love so very much.
Hugs 'n blessings, Beautiful Lady! ⁓ Richard ; )