The Pleasures of Not Knowing
Growing up in the country23 total reviews
Comment from Thomas Blanks
Sandra,
I recall similar things from when I was a kid with only four subtle differences and one clear difference:
I went for Almond Joy over Baby Ruth
I read Batman comics over Guidepost
Red Kool-aide over grape
I had a crew cut... so I didn't use hair products
I didn't know we were poor, and things were good until Dad got drunk again.
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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Sandra,
I recall similar things from when I was a kid with only four subtle differences and one clear difference:
I went for Almond Joy over Baby Ruth
I read Batman comics over Guidepost
Red Kool-aide over grape
I had a crew cut... so I didn't use hair products
I didn't know we were poor, and things were good until Dad got drunk again.
Comment Written 15-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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Thank you for this exceptional rating. I appreciate your comments. We survived and scratched out some joy despite the odds set against us. Pat yourself on the back and I will do the same. Thanks again!
Comment from GARY MACLEAN
You weren't poor, even if you were, you weren't. I can remember partaking in and doing many of the same things; Ed Sullivan, grape Kool-Aid, Baby Ruths, only mine were only a nickel, (I'm an old fart) tire swing, Frankenstein bicycle, all of it. It was great fun and I never even realized I was poor, until now and I look back at it. Fun has a way of making everything seem unimportant.
Great nostalgic verse.
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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You weren't poor, even if you were, you weren't. I can remember partaking in and doing many of the same things; Ed Sullivan, grape Kool-Aid, Baby Ruths, only mine were only a nickel, (I'm an old fart) tire swing, Frankenstein bicycle, all of it. It was great fun and I never even realized I was poor, until now and I look back at it. Fun has a way of making everything seem unimportant.
Great nostalgic verse.
Comment Written 15-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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Thank you for your comments and review. This is a great line for a poem or story} Fun has a way of making everything seem unimportant.
Comment from Michaela Moore
This piece set my heart to remembering my own wonderful moments of growing up. So many were the same as yours. Your images just kept rocking me in a lullaby of bygone days that were truly blessed jewels of normal but blissful days. Lovely list poem that reminds us all to count our blessings. Life is good!
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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This piece set my heart to remembering my own wonderful moments of growing up. So many were the same as yours. Your images just kept rocking me in a lullaby of bygone days that were truly blessed jewels of normal but blissful days. Lovely list poem that reminds us all to count our blessings. Life is good!
Comment Written 15-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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Thank you for your comments and review. Yes, life was good for those fleeting moments. I did not have a great childhood, and I scratched out some joy despite of my horrible parents. Had to bring you back to my real reality beyond this poem.
Comment from GWHARGIS
Awe. I love this. It is such a testament to childhood memories. I wasn't rich or poor growing up. I never wanted for food, or clothing but extras were not there. I had enough. You have described things I enjoyed in my childhood. Thank you for sharing. Gretchen
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Awe. I love this. It is such a testament to childhood memories. I wasn't rich or poor growing up. I never wanted for food, or clothing but extras were not there. I had enough. You have described things I enjoyed in my childhood. Thank you for sharing. Gretchen
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you for stopping by and reviewing my poem.
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Virtual six. I have read this one before and love it. The wonder of not knowing you were poor and therefore being happy and content with what you have. Well-crafted poem, and I like the picture that goes along with it. Good luck with the poetry reading.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Virtual six. I have read this one before and love it. The wonder of not knowing you were poor and therefore being happy and content with what you have. Well-crafted poem, and I like the picture that goes along with it. Good luck with the poetry reading.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you for the review, and the well wishes for tomorrow's reading. Theo!
Comment from AP Apgar
I like your poem- you had me with Lucy and Ted. all shows I used to watch as a kid - saw my first TV when I was 9, at a rich friends home - Buffalo Bob and Hoody Doody - black and white - high technology - Dad told me the reason we didn't have a TV was because those antenna's on the roof were going to melt - of course I beloved him. Mom said, those rich folk have a lot of modern stuff - but we have love.
Baby Ruths, Kool-Aid power from the pack on our bright red tongues-rummage sale -Mom made cloths on grandma old Singer with a foot peddle - caught lightening bugs - grandma made patch quilts - Sunday went to church -had a clip-on tie - felt all grown up - oldest son and expert raising babies, drying dishes mowing rich neighbors lawns- 50 cents, thank you Ma'ma!
Thank you for writing this, remembering the old days, being poor, miss those beans and rice, cornbread - grits and eggs for breakfast..
heck, those days were good!!! Nice job.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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I like your poem- you had me with Lucy and Ted. all shows I used to watch as a kid - saw my first TV when I was 9, at a rich friends home - Buffalo Bob and Hoody Doody - black and white - high technology - Dad told me the reason we didn't have a TV was because those antenna's on the roof were going to melt - of course I beloved him. Mom said, those rich folk have a lot of modern stuff - but we have love.
Baby Ruths, Kool-Aid power from the pack on our bright red tongues-rummage sale -Mom made cloths on grandma old Singer with a foot peddle - caught lightening bugs - grandma made patch quilts - Sunday went to church -had a clip-on tie - felt all grown up - oldest son and expert raising babies, drying dishes mowing rich neighbors lawns- 50 cents, thank you Ma'ma!
Thank you for writing this, remembering the old days, being poor, miss those beans and rice, cornbread - grits and eggs for breakfast..
heck, those days were good!!! Nice job.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you so much for your exceptional rating and for skipping with me down memory lane. We didn't know that those were some of our better days on this earth.
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Your Welcome!
Comment from Rachelle Allen
This was one of my favorites from your book, so, of course, I had to bestow the extra star in honor of my praise for it. The simplicity is so beautiful and reminiscent of a time we will never know again. You made it nearly palpable, it is so crystal-clear here! Wonderful work. xo
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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This was one of my favorites from your book, so, of course, I had to bestow the extra star in honor of my praise for it. The simplicity is so beautiful and reminiscent of a time we will never know again. You made it nearly palpable, it is so crystal-clear here! Wonderful work. xo
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you, Rach, for your exceptional review and more importantly your wonderful support! We all need a "Rach" cheerleader"! Thanks!
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Rah, rah, Sandy boom bah!!!
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LOL!
Comment from karenina
What a stirring free verse. Jolting to those of us, who, in our own way, had not a clue what it meant to receive "new" clothes with tags on them...or shoes not "pre-scuffed."
Didn't everyone think Kool-Aid was a drink of the Gods? Wasn't "Fish- Stick Friday" a rite of passage for every child?
I didn't know I was poor either. There is SO much I had that I'll lay odds you were denied. That saddens me more than this poem and my memories.
The small graces of childhood were few but treasured. Labels (even on clothing as it turns out) turn out to be very oppressive.
They remain so all too often.
Turns out ignorance is what makes folks poor.
Some haven't quite figured that out yet...
Karenina
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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What a stirring free verse. Jolting to those of us, who, in our own way, had not a clue what it meant to receive "new" clothes with tags on them...or shoes not "pre-scuffed."
Didn't everyone think Kool-Aid was a drink of the Gods? Wasn't "Fish- Stick Friday" a rite of passage for every child?
I didn't know I was poor either. There is SO much I had that I'll lay odds you were denied. That saddens me more than this poem and my memories.
The small graces of childhood were few but treasured. Labels (even on clothing as it turns out) turn out to be very oppressive.
They remain so all too often.
Turns out ignorance is what makes folks poor.
Some haven't quite figured that out yet...
Karenina
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you for your comments and rating!
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Thank YOU for your honest poetic voice that consistently whispers louder than the shouting!
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Thank you for hearing and acknowledging that voice.
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Keep "talking" ....
I'm listening!
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Thanks!
Comment from Marienkiefer
This is a keep in the pocket-take it-out-and-read-it-everyday poem.
Sparkling in your poem: Retro, and small delights, retro tones and a nice ring to it, with swag.
-After reading your poem, I just might take a visit to my retro candy store (candy bracelets, jaw breakers, peach rings..) and take out my vinyl records and have a vinyl record party. Paul Simon, the Carpenters, the Supremes, and the list goes on.
My favourite lines: the last stanza: I was oblivious to the fact we were poor, so life was GOOD. Leaving good feeling that small pleasures can make a day.
Thanks for this Back to the past, retro blast. Delightful, made my heart sing. Six stars, for the unique retro vibes.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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This is a keep in the pocket-take it-out-and-read-it-everyday poem.
Sparkling in your poem: Retro, and small delights, retro tones and a nice ring to it, with swag.
-After reading your poem, I just might take a visit to my retro candy store (candy bracelets, jaw breakers, peach rings..) and take out my vinyl records and have a vinyl record party. Paul Simon, the Carpenters, the Supremes, and the list goes on.
My favourite lines: the last stanza: I was oblivious to the fact we were poor, so life was GOOD. Leaving good feeling that small pleasures can make a day.
Thanks for this Back to the past, retro blast. Delightful, made my heart sing. Six stars, for the unique retro vibes.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Thank you so much for the exceptional rating, but more importantly realizing the importance of these retro things to an entire generation. It was the story of our lives.
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My pleasure 🌸
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Thanks
Comment from lyenochka
Love how you listed the things you watched, the ways you played, the simple pleasures of treats eaten, and the joy of songs sung in praise. Thanks for sharing these pleasant memories of childhood despite the poverty. It speaks of a resilient spirit with a grateful heart.
Suggestions:
Ate Baby Ruth's costing 10 cents a bar. (Baby Ruths) for the plural
hand me downs (hand-me-downs)
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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Love how you listed the things you watched, the ways you played, the simple pleasures of treats eaten, and the joy of songs sung in praise. Thanks for sharing these pleasant memories of childhood despite the poverty. It speaks of a resilient spirit with a grateful heart.
Suggestions:
Ate Baby Ruth's costing 10 cents a bar. (Baby Ruths) for the plural
hand me downs (hand-me-downs)
Comment Written 14-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2022
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I will take your suggestions. Too late for those who have purchased my book. Thank you for the review.
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No worries! These are minor nits!
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Thanks
