MEMORIES OF THEN

Walking among the stalks of corn
Towering overhead,
clutching grandma's apron
As through the rows, she led.

The smell of camphor salve
And fresh homemade bread,
Logs burning in the fire;
Memories in my head.

Plastic fruit in pretty bowls
And fancy braided rugs.
Smell of manure and chickens
And catching lightning bugs.

Writing on walls covered with coal
And freezing in bed when the fire went out.
Santa leaving giant colored books
And remembering times we went without.

Plain house dresses and fancy fur coats,
Business suits and bib overalls,
Winters so cold and snow waist deep,
Icicles and flying snowballs.

Memories of then, of so long ago,
Mixed and scrambled inside of my head.
I look in the mirror and search for that child;
I know she's there somewhere, I know she's not dead.

For often when I'm losing touch,
She brings me back to my beginnings;
Bringing back my memories of then
And sharing with me, all of my feelings.