The last day of November…how can that be? We are quickly approaching Christmas, but for today: Poetic Thursday with Pam, Teddy and Angel Sammy at Two Spoiled Cats.
This is the photo they provided for today’s inspiration:
My poem this week just wrote itself. Some of you know that Marshall’s dad and I owned a five and dime many years ago, so I guess it was experience doing the writing.
And here’s my poem:
Christmas Shopping
Christmas shopping can be a chore:
long lines and short tempers in every store.
Let’s go back to a simpler time;
before “big boxes”, there were five and dimes.
Every town had one there on Main.
And the owner knew each customer by name.
Wrapping paper, bows, tinsel for the tree.
“How many new strings of lights do I need?”
Candy canes, ornaments and jingle bells,
stocking stuffers chosen by ‘Santa’s elves’.
Toys ‘from Santa’ on layaway,
back in the stockroom, tucked away.
Christmas cards, candied fruit for your cake,
and supplies for those crafts you wanted to make.
No self checkout, our modern-day bane.
There was a clerk who counted back your change.
Closed for Christmas, and then the next day,
the half price sale got underway.
Those five and dimes are now history,
and all that remains are the memories.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 