Memories of Home

I wrote a poem for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.  Each stanza became the page of a keepsake book. I should have taken a picture to show you.  The poem took several days to write because I was often so overcome with emotion while writing.  Every line evoked so many memories of my wonderful upbringing.
I'm happy to share my poem with you....

Home, Back the Lane

Follow the long lane as it bends around

Through fields, beside woods, amidst honeysuckle thick

There stands a house more than wood and brick

A shelter, a haven, where hearts are bound

A sweet scent ambles along, linger’ing still

Maple, lilac and lily  join  magically

With faint image of farmer and ukulele:

 “Froggie Went A-Courtin’” the children thrill

Fond visions appear of trips to the field

Sandwiches and tea to  family’s satisfaction

Tractor rides  or vitamin-from-nose extraction

Far beyond mere bushels measures the yield

The barns of the memory stand sturdy, tall

Tiny piglets to care for, kittens in the mow

Behold the ewes and lambs,  and many a sow

A basketball goal gracing the barn’s east wall

Echoing still are the radio noises

WIBC, like the always near friend

Ellery Queen mystery then off to lane’s end

Market report demands silent voices

Remnants from the mother-daughter dresses

Black Thumbelina at church in a little girl’s arm

TV time, backs against cushions, home from the farm

Father - sons union indelibly impresses

A nighttime melody of bedtime prayers,

Warm heater blankets click, and popcorn scent drifts up

A handful of snack and Coke in a Dixie cup

Kisses goodnight, footsteps on creaking stairs

Glad laughter reverberates wall to wall

At cheese stuck on the ceiling, and climbing door frames

At “pick up that ladder,”  and sock-ceiling fan games

On hayrides, ‘round campfires in the crisp fall.

Graced with laughter are the beautiful tones

 Satin Doll and Sentimental Journey at night

and then too Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White

Piano and organ, banjo, trombone

See the car speed to various places

To girls scouts and band practice and overnight stays

To music lessons, ball games and practice for plays

Busy yet happy.   Smiles adorn faces

What joy to travel, those summer time treks.

Midwesterners journeying, near and far

On the wings of a jet, or snuggled in the car

Historic sights, ski slope and beach, cave and boat deck 

Joys that crescendo at holiday time

Speak and Spell,  Slinkies,  toy train set and Barbie dolls,

Evergreen Christmas trees boasting gold and green balls

The Nativity scene, there to remind.

Like petals from heaven grandchildren appear

In  a whirlwind of dress-up, jewelry and drama

Pool parties and singing,  playing monster with Pa

Ruby egg, fall break hikes, New Year’s Eve cheer

Behold scattered crayons and coloring books

Ten helping hands gather In the kitchen with Gran

Jello cut-outs and cookies, and stirring the pan

Movies and American girl dolls stashed in their nooks

Through fire and loss and tearful good-byes

Still rejoice in the bond of a fifty year love

Look joyously!  A future  in heaven above

Where hearts, still joined, live in eternal skies.