Forty Lines of Love
a symphony (if I knew how...)
I look amongst my childhood shelves, behind a cupboard door
Of memory, as it smoothly delves to times of long before
Before I knew the things I now know I just didn’t know
But even so, someway, somehow, my taste was apropos
For a simpler time and place you’d know if you were there
Like me, you’d close your eyes and trace a thinking from thin air
And watch it race down memory lane past all the houses, where
It campaigns each to entertain a thought or ten to share
In my reverie, I sigh a memory-wearing smile
The two of us, both you and I, let’s reminisce awhile
*
On what we ate and loved the best when we were but a child
The snack time treats, forget the rest of recipes home-styled
Loafs supreme and Jello-molds filled up with soggy fruit
Liver and onions once a week with brussels sprouts to boot
All the crap we had to eat - I didn’t have a choice
I ate what’s put in front of me - I didn’t use my voice
I didn’t dare, but once, I did, I spoke, turned up my nose
Got a spanking with a mudflap strap, ‘cause we had one of those
But I digress - let talk of treats, the favorites that we had
When you were a just a wee young lass and I was just a lad
*
In order, last to first, these snacks whetted my budding taste
Salted cheddar toast broiled in the oven - open-faced
Uncle Basil’s date squares were so sweet and chewy dreamy
Vanilla ice cream stirred ‘til it was soft and smooth and creamy
Peanut butter sandwiches and homemade berry jam
Still find themselves writ boldy on my late-night snack program
In third place, milk and cookies (chewy oatmeal) and homemade
By mom, just right for dunking; whole and chewy’s how they stayed.
Perfect deep-fried doughnuts Ricky’s mom made once a year
Just the thought of them conjures a Pavlov type of tear
*
Even so moved, I must admit it’s still just second place
And I must add another movement here, a fourth; in case
You realize that usually sonatas come in threes
On my honor, I must move that this deserves reprise
And more, I think. A cantata! Perhaps a symphony!
For that’s how much I miss the man who made these treats for me
Peanut butter sliced banana brown sugar sandwiches
This memory still tastes as sweet and still it so enriches
The little things he did for me, the times both good and bad
A sweet and salted metaphor of love made by my dad
About the Creator
Ward Norcutt
Playwright and poet.
My goal as a writer is to write thoughtful pieces of prose, poetry and stage plays. Hopefully, the end results are entertaining and engaging, with layers of meaning that make sense to the whole or a theme therein.
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Comments (24)
Congratulations for your top story I feel great after reading this
how beautiful, i was drooling at your description of the snacks!! and i loved the ending, what an amazing tribute to your father
My smile grew wider and wider across my face as I read this. I leave here beaming. 🥰
Congrats on Top Story!🥳🥳🥳
This was a beautiful exploration of love! The concept of forty lines is so interesting, and I loved how you [mention something specific you enjoyed, e.g., unpacked the different facets of love, used vivid imagery, or captured the essence of emotions
Forty Lines of LoveThe imagery is quite vivid https://vocal.media/fiction/the-enchanted-forest-s-echoes
Oops Congratulations on TS!
A simpler time and place, yessss! Your dad made the treats, wow! And the PB sliced banana brown sugar might be something for me to try. I only like bananas that are barely ripe and never liked them in a sandwich but this mix sounds delicious!!
The imagery is quite vivid. And it goes so far beyond the food. It’s the people, the relationships. Love it. 💛
I loved every word of this; my snacks were home-made. Marshmallows were probably the only store bought item used for recipes and sweet potatoes. My mom loved to bake.
Incredible ending
Incredibly beautiful 💌 Congrats on top story! 💝
beautiful! congratulations.
Awe, lovely ending.
how awesome. congratulations on TS. it's well deserved. your dad would be so proud. great memories.
This was so good. A great trip down memory lane and a smashing tribute to your dad. Great stuff.
So many outstanding lines in a wonderful tribute to childhood treats and, ultimately, your dad! Any father would be proud! Congratulations!
So glad this made top story. I predict a winner
That was a very tasty set of memories!
Now that's how to write a poem about childhood treats. Nailed it! Congrats on the TS.
Brilliant lines and rhymes!!! Loved those times❤️❤️💕
What a delicious delve down memory lane! Most of your treats I could practically pull from my own childhood. I love that you added the tie to your dad. Very nicely written!
I am in love with this symphony of memory. “Like me, you’d close your eyes and trace a thinking from thin air” and “ For that’s how much I miss the man who made these treats for me.” You have stolen my heart and fed it well. Seriously Warren, I have missed your words
Surprisingly poignant and carefully crafted. Nice work!