STRANGE BUT TRUE - (JAN 10 2015)
as a child growing up some things stand out
seriously this is true without a doubt
thirteen saw me helping neighbor Annie
used to be a nurse then a retiree
dusting and cleaning, normal routine chores
can't help but remember army green floors
washed and paste waxed looked amazingly bright
it shone like pure gold much to my delight
sadly short lived as the boys tromped inside
every footprint distastefully applied
how my heart sank as I surveyed it all
depression took over I do recall
now cooking was not really her forte
so quickly found this out on my twelfth day
beets tops trimmed after shaking off the dirt
shock and amazement truly did disconcert
each dinner plate succumbed to this disdain
in my heart of hearts felt this quite insane
granules of dirt clung to each unpeeled beet
never seen such an unappealing feat
copyright © 2015 Marlene E Purvis
One of my childhood life experiences!
HEARTBREAK AND MOURNING - (JAN 10 2015)
out on the farm, now many moons past
thoughts of these places leave me aghast
just a slough, in a low lying field
joined by a ten foot ditch, unconcealed
something about this place makes me cringe
flooding the road, always came unhinged
first two young boys fell prey to its curse
next Jack missed his turn and did submerse
the mighty Bow River flows downstream
it takes a life like vanishing cream
both horse and rider found later on
our whole neighborhood sad and withdrawn
tragic events creep in without warning
bring tears of heartbreak and mourning
sometimes my memories do recall
such tragic losses, heartbreaks befall
copyright © 2015 Marlene E Purvis
We never forget those we love who have gone before us!
WHO TAKES THE CAKE - (JULY 20 2014)
many groups and bands take to the stage
some downright awful, others the rage
sorry Spice Girls but you just don't rate
least not in my world, step out the gate
nothing special about them at all
honestly only name do recall
many others came before and since
seriously lack lustre, makes me wince
Frank and Andy, ranked crooners, the best
Beach Boys harmonies soon passed the rest
Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones
Leonard Cohen's soft sensual tones
as a group, The Supremes hit the charts
soft and mellow, harmonious hearts
The Beatles brought the house down each night
girls flipped out with screams of pure delight
Elvis "the pelvis" some coined the term
conservative adults, minds did burn
enter the Monkees, The Dave Clarke Five
fun groups, great rhythms brought out the jive
Dion, Jackson Five, Neil Diamond score
Gene Pitney, Bobby Vinton and more
Gerry and the Pacemakers, Four Tops
too many to name, though some were flops
Heart, ABBA, Kiss and the Big Bopper
Cheap Trick, Fleetwood Mac, Alice Cooper
Chubby Checker, Buddy Holly, Cream
Roy Orbison, Bon Jovi and Queen
R.E.M., Guns N' Roses, take heed
country brings tears as lonely hearts bleed
Kenny Rogers, Patsy Cline, The Dells
Dolly Parton, Hank Snow, Kitty Wells
Johnny Cash, Red Sovine, country cried
Johnny Horton, Jim Reeves, Charlie Pride
Eddy Arnold, George Jones, Hoyt Axton
Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and then some
Three Dog Night, David Bowie, Bee Gees
Michael Jackson, The Doors if you please
BTO, CCR, shortened names
Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix fames
Heart, Tina Turner so in the groove
Led Zeppelin, Van Halen on the move
AC/DC, Rush, Stevie Ray Vaughn
Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Elton John
Culture Club, Byran Adams, ZZ Top
Faron Young, Paul Anka, at the hop
Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Sam Cooke
Guess Who, Terry Stafford, Dr Hook
Billy Idol, Jerry Lee Lewis,
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young cannot miss
Herman's Hermits, Whitney Houston rose
Dale and Grace, Dickie Lee, do love those
fifties to nineties, those were the days
gramophones, records, short and long plays
country, folk, rock along with the blues
many great artists from which to choose
one hit wonders, million dollar deals
crowds going wild, girls head over heels
forever will the music live on
in our minds and hearts, brimming with song
copyright © 2014 Marlene E Purvis
Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Perry Como
some of the best crooners around. Rock & Roll found
the hearts of the young while country brought about
tears of heartbreak and the blues sanctioned soul.
VINTAGE MIDWAY - (JUL 30 2013)
on this day my thoughts flicker back in time
back when midway rides only cost a dime
as a wee child, carousel won first prize
probably cause they were about my size
pretty horses, the music, round and round
felt like a princess floating up and down
really loved the swings as they picked up speed
around, further outwards, faster did plead
ferris wheels scare me quick rise to the top
seems so abrupt when it comes to a stop
rocking back and forth, swaying to and fro
although can now see for miles dontcha know
letting people off, letting people on
every stop'n'go, breath held, fully drawn
double ferris wheel, even more thrilling
my unbiased opinion, spine chilling
kiddies roller coaster, simple designs
little ups and downs, clickity click track lines
little riding planes, shooting guns that pop
ground level, slow upwards, downwards slight drop
look at this, an exciting treasure trove
securely belted in tea-cup alcove
sometimes slow, sometimes fast, tilt-a-whirls spin
squished tight, feeling like a Siamese twin
house of mirrors, getting lost deep inside
mirrors produce puzzle-maze bonafide
watch out you're at a completely dead end
surprise, turn around your form took a bend
oh my gosh you look funny, outta shape
now you look villainous, without a cape
always loved watching those bumper cars glide
shiny buffed floors made for enchanting ride
peals of laughter as drivers crash the scene
though never got the chance to be road queen
one time a house of horror caught my eye
knew for sure wanted to give it a try
no idea why it turned out this way
came out laughing so hard it made my day
copyright © 2013 Marlene E Purvis
Rides are still fun; funny thing, now I abhor horror!
SIMPLICITY REIGNED - (SEP 10 2013)
as I laid me down to sleepthoughts of yesteryear did seep
back when simplicity reigned
where inflation self-contained
movie, popcorn for a dime
soda pop, nickeled big time
candy bar, Fudgesicle too
nigger babies, penny due
loved penny candy the most
three or more would proudly boast
ten loaves bread, one dollar please
full grocery cart, twenty ease
true our wages were quite small
but our needs were minimal
pen and paper our best friend
long hand held the leading trend
electronics, unheard of
baseball games, brotherly love
old time dances and sock hops
private stores and butcher shops
copyright © 2013 Marlene E Purvis
Funny how my mind slips back, remembering earlier times!
HAND BELL - (MAR 21 2013)
ring, ring, ring the dinner bell
though in old school, different tell
wooden sidewalk, ran 'long side
hand bell our grade three class pride
what a privilege granted
with both feet firmly planted
ring it loud and ring it clear
beautiful sound, held so dear
those old memories hold true
today children have no clue
to them, awful buzzer sounds
to my ear, foreignly pounds
copyright © 2013 Marlene E Purvis
Memories of our Scout Hall school classroom across town!
COMMUNITY GATHERINGS - (FEB 02 2013)
imagine a time when fun evolved
great times and gatherings often called
flower shows and baking contests take prize
oyster stew meals, card tournaments rise
baby, bridal showers set the stage
concerts and gaming nights were the rage
Christmas parties community style
games, singing, laughter, so versatile
waiting, waiting for Santa to come
gifts for all children every last one
local musicians, instruments tuned
square dance callers, all vocals attuned
community dances, brought us out
old time music, really carried clout
polkas, waltz's, two-steps, and the twist
butterflies, Charleston, jive, top the list
and through it all, our children slept sound
backstage, in a corner, spaces found
simplistic, community ranked high
sadness, envy, hate to say good-bye
copyright © 2013 Marlene E Purvis
Back then life was simple and filled with fun events!
A DIME IN TIME - (JUNE 21 2005)
Only a dimeWay back in time
A soda pop
Night at the hop
Go to a flick
Only one pick
An ice cream cone
Three flavor zone
Rides at the fair
None could compare
So much to do
Some were free too
People gathered
Fashions flattered
Laughter and fun
Prizes were won
copyright © 2005 Marlene E Purvis
Life was fun and carefree and filled with excitement!
FILTER IN - (FEB 16 2005)
Childhood memories filter in
Remember when things came in tin
Everything from nuts to crackers
Freshness back then from the packers
Some were bound in cloth yes it's true
Used for a pillow case or two
Life kept a very simple pace
Nowhere to go, no need to race
Money was scare but bought a lot
Look at all the candy we got
Three for a penny was the norm
A ten cent movie was in form
Minimum wage buck twenty five
Dance wave was the rock and roll jive
TV was seen in black and white
Color back then was out of sight
Sometimes I do long for those years
Thinking ‘bout them, welling up tears
copyright © 2005 Marlene E Purvis
Well remembered memories of a time long ago!
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