Sometimes I can’t help but wonder
If I was born a century too late
When life was so much simpler
Prospects of a happy life were great
A time when trust was normal
When your word was your bond
A handshake is the same as a contract
The extra mile you went beyond
A time when attending your church
Was something you naturally did
In your community, a valued member
Willing to do whatever you were bid
A time when a hard day’s work
Would make you feel good inside
Observing what you had accomplished
Made you revel in humbling pride
Women were honored and respected
And children obeyed their parents
Discipline was still in our schools
Bad attitude whacks were apparent
You could leave and not lock your door
Come home, everything is still there
If times were tough and you had a need
Your neighbors were there to share
You knew your neighbors by their first name
Block parties, socials looked forward to
You mingled, shared hopes and dreams
You were respected, as you were do
Keeping up with all of your neighbors
Back then would have a different meaning
It might be a sack race, church social
Corn shucking competition, ears cleaning
Technology, a word not yet coined
As life was as it should be, slow and easy
If back then you knew what was coming
It would make your stomach queasy!
No cell phone to learn how to use
Instead, there was a party line
Everyone waited, took their turn
And it all worked out just fine
Everything was done with cash alone
Credit cards had not been invented
You thought twice about your purchases
Made sure your money went where intended
The thoughts I have of all of this
Makes me sit back and often dream
Of living during this stretch of time
Where values controlled your self-esteem
Friday, June 24, 2022