LOST INSTRUCTIONS FROM BOYHOOD

Lost Instructions from Boyhood

There was a final time when you said, “I’m going out to play.” But you never realized it was final.  

1.  Parachute Men

My Grandfather taught me

how to make parachute men

with a handkerchief, string and a lead sinker

You folded the handkerchief just so

and tossed your parachute man into the air

Nowadays most men don't carry handkerchiefs.

2.  Talking to Kites

My father showed me how to send messages

up to kites

He used old memo pads with his company logo on them

and we'd write notes

How are things up there?

tear and tape the sheets around the kite string

He'd give it a slide up the line

and off it would go spinning around till the message was delivered.

Today stunt kite flyers would not sit still to send a message.

3.  Burning Buildings

In the fall

my father would burn piles of leaves.

Sometimes he would clean old boxes from the garage

and use his pocket knife to cut out doors and windows

to make it look like a building.

He'd also cut a hole up top and insert

a cardboard paper towel tube.

The box would be set on top of the burning leaves

till the fire reached underneath

flames would flicker inside the windows

smoke would billow from the tube

and then the box would flame

into a dark brittle crust.

Too bad you can’t burn leaves anymore.

4.  Backyard Cannon

I can't remember who passed on this secret knowledge

but it was known among boys my age and time.

Four Seven-Up cans, top and bottom cut-outs

connected to a long stick

load with a tennis ball, fuel with lighter fluid

          and with the right technique

you could fire tennis balls into the air

and over your house.

Today the neighbors would call the cops

and there were be questions to answer.

I wonder about the lost knowledge from all

other grown up boys

of all the other ages.

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

Rutherford - Interesting theme...with the numbering..Good to read your work…Thanks for the invite to read your thoughts to paper at Writers Café...I'm back to work with copy writer and doing my best to write 1000 words a day...and a subject you do not get to choose...will be busy the next few months...so I will read all RR"s might just take a bit longer to get a review...hope you understand...plus promote my book: The Onyx - Vena Amoris...for late next month release…I have very little time on my hands…making the most of everyday and taking today to read as many as I can…keep writing and sharing your creative talent here and elsewhere…

[Tam Warink]

Excellent, Rutherford. ...and the laments at the end should be submitted to every committee of rule-enthralled idiots.

[Rita L. Sev]

My grandmother taught us the parachute man... You have painted such wonderful childhood memories here; I can smell leaves burning... I love the introductory lines - you set the mood and give the reader something concrete to think about throughout the read. Great poem, John!

[Pryde Foltz]

What a great nostalgic write. Time moves on and from its pocket falls some valuable change.

[rutherford]

Thanks for reading it. I like your pocket and change comment especially.

[Pryde Foltz]

smile......