memories – The Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff

Another Time

a little girl singing in the spring meadows of your mind

her sweet voice soothing your soul with lyrics

from another time

a little boy playing with a toy on a snowy day

his childish antics in your mind’s eye

from another time

a young woman dancing in a play

her grace and beauty in full bloom

from another day

a young man indulging in harmless horseplay

his powerful muscles straining in the summer heat

of another day

an old woman knitting by a warm hearth of clay

her memories embroidered on blankets

from another day

an old man in a winter pathway

looking for his memories

from another day.

-30-

Don’t Look Back

when you hear the cry of wild wolves behind you

don’t look back

when walking on a dark forest’s floor you hear a roar

don’t look back

when unwanted memories haunt you

look ahead

don’t look back

instead

plow ahead

with your dreams

who knows what the future brings?

***

Dad’s Fading Away

Like leaves falling off of trees with the advance of winter

my Dad’s memories are caught up in the winds of change

as he struggles to remember my name

I watch his eyes wander off to other times

back to the “good old days”

when he was young and viral

a proud Marine and father of three

he will always be

my hero

sometimes his eyes are clear and when he looks at me

I can see the man he use to be even though he’s ninety-three

sometimes suddenly he talks rationally

but those days are fading away

as I watch him every day

waiting for a miracle to come his way

I wait

and pray

***

Found a Nickel One Day

back in the black-and-white 50’s, money went a long way

so that’s why I was thrilled to find a nickel on the street one day

I thought about things I could buy that would be handy

and narrowed it down to what interested me most…candy!

Mar’s Bars, M&M’s, Snickers, Atomic Fireballs, and Paydays

were just some the favorites that came to mind

and Butterfingers, Clark Bars, and Bit-O-Honeys

Peter Paul Mounds, Baby Ruth, and Sugar Babies

Oh Henry! Necco’s, and Zero bars

my head swam with all of the possibilities

among those sugary stars

when it came to the moment of truth

I took that nickel and bought a Baby Ruth

Early Memories

some early memories are gardens of delight

others are not so serene like getting into a fight

making Revelle car models like Ed Roth’s SuperFink

was a favorite hobby because I didn’t have to think

I raced on narrow red skateboards with metal wheels

while dreaming of someday having my own automobiles

my imagination was unfettered with too many facts

spending my time playing with all kinds of knick-knacks

countless hours were spent imitating TV heroes

in plots with pals featuring dramatic death throes

my memories of those early days

of childish beliefs and pretend plays

are still companions in my old age

and are still a pleasure to engage

When Street Rods Were Rad

essay – 140 words

I still remember when the ’32 Ford Coupe ruled the road for street racers in the fifties and early sixties.

It’s hoodless engine and nitro tank strapped to the grill gleaming with polished chrome and promises of power were worshiped by teenagers who gathered in groups to watch the street rods race on lonely roads.

Butch haircuts competed with James Dean’s classic looking hair. Jeans and t-shirts everywhere. Girls wore pumps with pleated skirts and short bobbed hair. Teenagers were going steady with class rings and varsity jackets. Wolf Man Jack called the races at the right places and passed messages on to lovers and the lonely.

The need for speed was a tremendous thirst that made local heroes famous nationally when they came in first. These lords of the road have long disappeared or sold out.

Memories can be so poignant.

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