I remember... the spring showers lasting all day long & playing cards near the fire & calling that fun,
I remember... the snow falling during the night & waking to find three feet & still having to go to school,
I remember... Mom reading Curious George to me & my brother & believing the story was real,
I remember... picking up our Christmas lay-a-way on Christmas Eve & opening gifts on Christmas morn,
I remember... watching for Rudolf's Red nose until the wee hours & rushing to wake my brother when Santa had gone,
I remember... playing in the woods all day, never afraid & coming home well after dark,
I remember... chasing lightening bugs & butterflies & digging in the dirt for earth worms & fishing with my dad,
I remember... my dad & how he beat on my mom & how my mom beat on me,

by Shawn Ann Murray ©2011