I used to stare through tubes of cardboard and plastic watching fractals and splinters of color remix and reorganize as they turn in my tiny hands and entertained me for hours

Nothing seems more magical to a child than to spend some hours with a kaleidoscope.   Endless magical scenes unfold as the colors roll and twist and dissolve one into another.   There may once have been a purpose for them, but now we only…

Closets are a wonder and a terror, both – for childhood A place for them to hide, or monsters – or even both? A place to explore clothes, identities, and social roles in innocent dress-ups To imagine who you might be, who your family are,…

My longest running study buddy is a support, and an absolute rock As a child, a teen, a youth, a young person, and onwards in years Has stood sentinel Silent watchman Witness to my widening mind and heart Diligent in his duties He has attended…

Saltines! The only crackers ever anywhere in the 1960s, when women wore skirts and children didn’t matter. Well, at least I didn’t matter – or so I was told. (ouch!) Saltines with squares of American cheese! And then came Velveeta… that liquid gold when mixed…

Hour -8     Childhood, when innocence used to be my biggest virtue… when the world happened to be fair…. when tiny stuff gave me supreme joy, Childhood when I dwelled in my fantasies … When the world seems to be selfless When all appeared…

Gazing up up at the grains above me I know it’s crop just like they bring to The elevator Delicious grains My favorite ones When the truck’s come We’d put our hands out When they opened the sluice gate To the back of the truck…

What can you do when there is no farewell? The opportunity lost, slipped away with the  Hustle and bustle and musts A final box packed and placed on the truck And then on to the next But the past not forgot   Within the walls,…

Childhood, In Three Pieces   ONE I climbed out of bed and fumbled through the hallway to the bathroom, rubbing my sleepy eyes with my tiny fists, even though Momma had told me not to. I lifted the lid and lowered my Strawberry Shortcake Underoos…

I. “Remember when…?” Can’t say I do I remember instead the stories you tell. And I’m sure your stories are quite true “Remember when…?” Can’t say I do. I’m full of holes, events slip through But stories sometimes stick quite well. “Remember when…?” Can’t say…