Do you recall?

Question:Do you recall those bee buzzing days,
With scrapes and scratches…
Mercurochrome tainted.
(That stuff, really hurt!)

When through the evenings’ waining light
It’s Kick the Can!
Rang, clear and bright.
We scrambled!

When as a group, we filled the lawns
Deciding on the leader.
(Thom brought the can
And set it up.)

The can was struck
And off we ran!
Hid under Mrs. Fisher’s porch.
(Hopeful that the spiders were asleep.)

Glorious hours (at least)
Until the calls came
“Sarah, Jim, Thom…
Time to come in.”

Silently, with a few goodbyes
We trudged slowly homeward.
But bright tomorrows
Summer filled, we’d play again.

Screen doors, springs protesting
Closed once, then silence.
Crickets, chirping.
Solidifies the mood.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Do you recall those bee buzzing days,
With scrapes and scratches…
Mercurochrome tainted.
(That stuff, really hurt!)

When through the evenings’ waining light
It’s Kick the Can!
Rang, clear and bright.
We scrambled!

When as a group, we filled the lawns
Deciding on the leader.
(Thom brought the can
And set it up.)

The can was struck
And off we ran!
Hid under Mrs. Fisher’s porch.
(Hopeful that the spiders were asleep.)

Glorious hours (at least)
Until the calls came
“Sarah, Jim, Thom…
Time to come in.”

Silently, with a few goodbyes
We trudged slowly homeward.
But bright tomorrows
Summer filled, we’d play again.

Screen doors, springs protesting
Closed once, then silence.
Crickets, chirping.
Solidifies the mood.

Oh my, a beautiful flash back to youthful days of fun playing our neighborhood games. And, yes, the mercurochrome. But for me, the mercurochrome didn't burn at all compared to the damned Iodine! Holy moses, I refused that stuff!

Great poem!

Oh, this was beautiful. It made me want to play kick the can (a luxury which I have been denied). It was beautiful imagery, as always, and I felt actually connected to the writer through the brilliant storyteller. I will now heartily agree with those who said you should write a short story. I would LOVE to see something this deep and beautiful, only more of it. But, keep the poetry coming, and intensify my raging jealousy. (in a good way)

Oh, my! I like this very much. It brought back a flood of memories. It also reminded me of Dylan Thomas' poem, "A Child's Christmas in Wales." Both your poem and his give the reader a glimpse into a world too often forgotten by adults.

Well done...Don't change anything.

You are a killer! I thought you were English, at first. But, no...youz a Merkin, alright! TD

If only we could go back to those carefree days.
It is a lovely poem.
Nice work:)

This poem reached way down deep inside me. It brought back wonderful memories of 'hide 'n seek' during those evening hours. I can remember my mother calling my name to come home along with the chorus of other moms. Thank you for this lovely poem.

You paint a beautiful picture of summer evenings after supper in our neighborhood. We played kick the can and Red Rover, Red Light, Green Light and Mother May I. And we we were so sad when the street lights came on for that was the signal that we had to go home. Fond memories, indeed.

You brought back joyful memories when children of all ages played together without fear. I needed to spend some time remembering childhood before posting an answer.

What memories. I would gather in my front yard with my
friends and sell kool-aide. My legs and arms were always
stained with mercurochome. I was a tomboy. Thanks for
the flashback.