Blue Skies and Green Fields

Me on the left Tony in the middle and Kerny on the right

Tony and I got up that day

As we looked for something to do

then with Kerny, took a journey

to the edge of the world we knew

I had brought a pack of cigarettes

we pilfered from the night before

From a red shirt, covered in dirt

his brother had left on the floor

 

As with all young boys of the time

we thought smoking would make us cool

And so we choked, as each one smoked

and acted then played the fool

Kerny brought along some fireworks

which were great for blowing up cans

Oh each could see, we were the three

who always had great master plans

 

On the lane that led to the house

were double rows of cherry trees

each infested, there they nested

with tent worms and a few with bees

It didn’t take much of a thought

to imagine routing them out

We made a torch, up on the porch

we would take care of them no doubt

 

We soaked the torch in gasoline

lit that baby and let it burn

“Oh yeah” we said, “they'll soon be dead”

as we each torched the trees in turn

When we had finished with that chore

flaming lollipops came to mind

As all the worms, then met our terms

there were none left for us to find

 

We were right proud of what we'd done

headed off for the house to gloat

So we the worst, quenched our thirst

there by the pond we called the moat

The day was only half over

after lunch we had plans to roam

So off we went, without repent

down the hill away from his home

 

We took the riding lawnmower

down the hill that led to the creek

Each full of fire, we'd never tire

there was no mercy for the weak

We used the mower to pull out

the bushes that blew in the breeze

then threw them off, the winding trough

where the creek had played through the trees

 

The only problem with this plan

came when we noticed all we'd done

For if we could, trumped if we should

though it was in the name of fun

luckily it was getting dark

the mosquitoes had taken flight

We'd done our best, gave it a rest

went back home and called it a night

 

There were always things to do then

around the hundred acre wood

With luck we'd keep, forgoing sleep  

and would live as we thought boys should

For there we tasted happiness

without television or phone

tested our strength, to such great length

that our muscles ached to the bone

 

So now we look back in dismay

as America's kids grow fat

We don't know why, our kids won't try

or why one might act like a brat

  They lack what we took for granted

the reward work and toil both yields

The right to play, every day

under blue skies on green fields

To Tony's mother Gladys in Heaven."Thank you for the love you shared with me and every child that ever crossed your doorstep." Here was a beautiful life!

Author's Note

My days as a child were filled by adventures. Some turned out good some bad. This one we pulled small trees and bushes out to throw over the bank where the creek took a hard turn. We wanted to keep the bank from eroding. However we kept going till we had torn out god knows how many trees and bushes. Too Many! But like most of the adventures we had we were plenty tired when we finished..It is this loss of activity that makes Americas children overweight. If we keep going the way we are our children will one day go to detox for being addicted to their phones.

Reviews

[lee von cleef]

Shy guy flipping me off (Kerny) I knew that kid , I was that kid , I 've been whipped for that "Photo Bomb" but today that is past, not even rebellious, oh boys fit a mold, and grow to be like the men around them , or the absence of them, don't mean to make the girls feel guilty they will do it all on their own.but boys need to play hard , the life they will be expected to live will be hard, so let em fall, cry , get tough,and drive anything that runs, ride anything with hair,and sleep in the thick night air ,sip water at every stream, they will need a strong belly full of a diversity of e coli to survive the world we are going to leave em. Good job Tate.

[Einstein Noodle]

enjoyed the story very much ..only one of my four children took the adventurous turn like his dad .. i was and am still amazed that none of my children would ride a bike as young teens ..tho i taught them all how to ride and bought new bikes as they grew .. it was just not cool they said .. my bikes gave me great freedom ... i just don't get it .. i agree about the phones and all that stuff .. its tragic .. love the pics ..you all look like trouble makers ..especially the "bird man on the left :)
E.

[Tate Morgan]

well our children all find their own path Im sorry you couldnt share the bike with one . However it is a thing that many find personal I found my own way as time went on they will too

[Einstein Noodle]

yes they (we) do :)

[Tate Morgan]

We my friends and i were quite the hellions I am still friends with Tony Williams the one in the middle my longest running friendship

[Einstein Noodle]

high school was soooooooo long ago but like you i have several lasting friendships ... treasures to cherish for sure!

[Me]

A thought provoking piece which speaks plainly straight to the hearts of those on the same page as you

[Tate Morgan]

thank you very much

[melissa]

Amazing poem i can't wait until have the money to get your book i enjoy them so much

[Tate Morgan]

thank you melissa Im sure youll like them

[Claire in VA]

This makes me really miss my childhood.
I try really hard to rear my child like I was.
I am sure that it easier to do in rural areas
like where I live than in cities, but it is still
very difficult. Very nice write, Tate. It has
great flow and rhyme. It is also saturated
with truth.
Fondly, Claire

[Tate Morgan]

Thank u I was a hellion in my youth

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

Touching childhood stories and cherished moments together are bittersweet in our minds.
Details bring the scenes back to life on paper.
Child's play and adventure will never be again, but the memories live on in our minds.
Today, what will our children do and what will they remember later...will it be worth remembering or will it be a suppressed time that should not be talked about or told.

[Tate Morgan]

iM SURE YOU CAN RELATE TO THIS SO WELL thank you

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

I DO...AND MY HOPE IS THAT MY CHILDREN WILL REMEMBER LOTS OF HAPPY MOMENTS THAT OUT SHINE THE BAD ONES.

[Tate Morgan]

i hope so too

[Tennessee]

You tell how it was in the past. A story of an event you experienced. Well put

[Dye]

I believe that times have changed so much do to a heightened awareness of letting our kids roam. We as parents fear the worst and sometimes forget how that freedom is important, it lets the imagination run wild, instills self sufficiency and give our kids grit. We hold on too tight, there is a piece of mind to having your child stay in and play with electronics or watch TV rather than be let loose outside where god only knows what could happen LOL I always have mixed feelings on this as I flip flop between the two. Listen to me ramble....... sorry. It was a great read that painted an image of boys being boys. I enjoyed that it got me thinking too.

[Michael G. Smith]

This reminds me of my youth growing up in the seventies in the big city of Milwaukee. My parents never seemed to mind me roaming from home for miles at the age of seven and higher. The fat line I don't get. I hear the news and it's reporting of this seem to be accepted fact. I don't see it around me know different than when I was growing up. Again, you bring characters to life and preserve a piece of America.

[wordwarrior]

Oh Tate, your last verse really says it all. You are so right. We used to be able to find our own amusement and you sure sound .like you had one hell of a great time. How all we seem to hear is how bored kids are and why aren't WE providing their amusement!
Most of the time they have their heads bent on their phones and such. Yup, no wonder they are getting fatter each generation and it's the same in Australia.
I really enjoyed your story and floated along with the rhyme.
Thank you for sharing!