I’ve known the joy that only a boy
Could feel – the swing of a vine. [1]
That’s entwined in a tree, for lads like me
To discover and enjoy. (Age? Nine.)
I’ve felt the soft nose of a horse at repose,
And jumped o’er the hindquarters bare.
And ridden baby cows or even some sows, [3]
When the farmer or owner wasn’t there.
I’ve enjoyed the snow fall; drifts fences tall,
And the resulting thrill – no bus! [4]
Sat with my feet on the oven door for heat,
That coal stove with ashes and fuss. [5]
I’ve ridden through a bridge o’er the blue [6]
That was covered and painted red.
Or walked or ran the bare-planked span;
That inside looked like a shed.
Ah, and, I’ve felt the pain of a leaving train,
When my lover was inside. [7]
And watched the last light till out of sight,
Then turned on my heel and cried.
I’ve stood still and wet on the date set,
Waiting for that girl in white.
Perspiring that season, for more than one reason,
On the year’s last, hot, June night. [8]
I’ve relished the smell of fall as it fell,
Time after burning-leaf time,
And drank cider sweet; it was hard to beat
Soft, amber, pure, sublime.
I’ve been privileged to hold the tiny mold
From which God makes a man.
And knew that his name and mine were the same;
Twenty-one years the span. [9]
I’ve known what it means to have little but beans
And then miss a bean with a dip.
To have cookies is nice – but because of the price
A cookie without a chocolate chip.
I’ve walked the drifting miles; mid frowns & now smiles
Of students on Saturday hikes. [11]
Or joined them near nine, asphalt roads to entwine
On our trusty, but soon tiring bikes. [12]
I’ve been privileged to be three years near the sea.
O! The smell of salt in the air!
See it calm or forlorn or white-cappy in storm,
Return with it still in my hair.
I’ve walked up with pain the inclined plain
Of a mountain’s bristly backbone.
Provisions in pack on my back,
Miles and hours from a phone. [13]
I’ve met and do know some of Christ’s best below
Saints, yes, saints above sod.
Who’ve worked in love, His power to prove,
Before they go home to God.
That’s not all I’ve had as a boy or a dad
There are, I’m sure, many more
In thirty one years, many joys, a few tears,
Since birth to seventy-four. -eab, 2/10/74
[1] Off the edge of one of Uncle Wallace and Aunt Em’s fields on the farm off Stage Coach road (parallel with US 22.)
[3] At Mark Rickett’s to which I’d walk (3-4 miles) to play.
[4] Drifts were from fencepost top to fencepost top in 1950.
[5] Stove also had reservoir for heating water on side.
[6] Was the first kid on and last one off so passed through covered bridge four times a day for most of five years (over 3500 passes).
[7] Union Terminal about 1960, Cincinnati, watching my sweet Martha head home for the summer. Took her there in a taxi.
[8] The church was not air conditioned on June 30, 1961.
[9] Andrew (also called “Charlie Brown”) It was not my idea to name him after me but since Martha wanted that, made him E. Andrew.
[11] Hobe high school biology students and I would hike Jupiter Island from the end of the road to the island’s end (approximately 10 miles) specimens they found were theirs – fun belonged to all of us!
[12] Biology kids on bike hikes in Jonathan Dickinson Park.
[13] Hiked the entire AT (Appalachian Trail) through the Smokies but this particular memory is when Carson, Dan, Andrew, and I ascending Thunderhead on a Christmas vacation trip.
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