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 
Oh how I miss those five and dimes and the simpler times. Still miss your family’s store. You could find everything!!! Especially penny candy! Thanks for the memories!
This brings back good memories for me too. My oldest sister worked for a five and ten store (as we called it) in our hometown when she was in high school. It was a sad day when years later, it closed permanently because there was a larger store opened at the mall. Honestly, those huge stores aren’t fun like the five and tens were.
I’d have to say that you nailed it ! – Main Street just had a different aura about it at Christmastime back then – & don’t forget decorating the window and staying open ’til 8 ! …
I loved shopping in Ben Franklin. Such a friendly place and you could just about find anything you wanted. This poem reminds me of it. Thanks for the memories.
I used to absolutely love going in the “5 & dime” stores….as you say they had EVERYTHING and they all had the same familiar candy smell (or was it popcorn?). I don’t think I ever went in one and came out empty-handed! Good job on the poem…..!
Pam