Those Where the Good Times

basically another poem of my childhood relived through poetry

I grew up in the 80's and 90's when the best shows and cartoons were on      

Where we played outside till the sun went down, then mom called us home  

Shootin' BB guns, catching' horny toads, burnin' ants, and netting lightning bugs       

We were slippin' and slidin' on that yellow plastic gettin our knees scuffed up      

Jumpin' our bikes on homemade ramps, going home with bumps and bruises                  

Waiting for mom to comfort us while daddy got angry as we made up many excuses                               

When it rained, we ran through the puddles and the mud or we were told to stay inside                               

We would play Super Mario Bros on Nintendo for hours; those where the good times

I would play with my Hot Wheels in the dirt and drive around my Tonka dump truck                       

Mom took care of the home and dad was gone; he was out trying to make a buck             

Man, I remember Saturday Morning cartoons, they always made the best shows               

For I was watching Transformers, Thundercats, Looney Tunes, and even G.I. Joe                      

I would also watch Knight Rider and The Fall Guy, the Dukes of Hazzard and A-Team                          

I started poetry at an early age but never thought it  would remain such a part of me  

I recall dad chasing me around the yard, belt in hand intended to whoop my behind                

Despite the punishments I received, I turned out all right, those were the good times

I remember sittin' on grandpa's lap whether it was church or watchin' a football game                   

And I knew that I was truly in trouble when my Mom or my Grandma said my full name                 

I would walk around almost eveywhere bare-footed even if I got stickers in my feet                 

I still acted up and never learned my lesson, no matter how many time my butt got beat              

I had an Etch a Sketch, Mr. Potato Head and Lite Brite; My Teddy Ruxpin talked to me           

I also remember those brotherly fights; you just gotta love that sibling rivalry                                  

My mom was spiritual and kind and dad never drank and yet I just turned out fine       

I hope they are proud of the man I have become, those where the good times

I remember I wore my plastic E.T. costume and mask for I went as him on Halloween                      

Having fun with a Rubik's Cube and a Slinky and eating from a Snoopy Sno Cone machine             

I had Star Wars on my bed shees and a toy Gizmo who would help me fall to sleep                        

And then at bedtime I'd fold my hands and pray to the Lord that my soul He would keep                   

I recall fishing so many times with my dad and smelling Grandma's peach cobbler bake                   

I would help my mom in the kitchen and even help put the icing on some chocolate cake              

I remember swinging on Mamaw's big swing and you won't believe I got so very high                         

I long to relive each and every moment as possible for those were the good times

I rode on the back dash of the car and drank from the hose, while trying to walk the line                        

I still had my manners and respected my elders but Man! Those were the good times!

by: James W. Mckay/3-5-19

Reviews

[willweb]

Another one that I can relate to just about every line. The one that caught my eye was the "catchin' horny toads" That one caused me to glance over and see where you were from...I work in New Braunfels. So I guess we are neighbors so to speak.
Very cool once again, I like the looking back at life and Mario Bros....damn, I stayed up all night until I beat it.

[James Mckay]

Haha, yeah I grew up just outside the city limits of San Antonio but back then the horny toad population was big and now you don't see them anymore unless you go up near Lubbock or a zoo. Yeah I hear you on Mario, especially jumping on that turtle so many times, getting infinity lives just to get to number 8. My least favorite was the swimming world lol

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Another goodie
I can relate to a few here too
Or for my kids

Great write !

[James Mckay]

Thank you again Julie! I miss those days so badly.