Some Stayed, Some Strayed

The wider the span in years becomes

Between childhood and where we are today,

The more we yearn for the simpler times

And wonder what it was that caused us to stray.

Orange blossoms, lemon groves and strawberries

Eventually gave way to smog;

A tight piece of string between two tin cans,

Became smart phones, computers and blogs.

Walking to the beautiful Puddingstone Lake

Was an adventure, never a chore!

Searching as we walked for empty pop bottles,

To cash in at the neighborhood store.

Our clothes never had designer labels,

We shopped at the Goodwill store;

T shirts, Levi’s and black & white Hi-Tops…

You don’t see that anymore!

When my mind takes a ten minute mini-vacation,

I always hear my soul say “Thanks”!

But the memory I know I miss the most,

Was hanging out at the San Dimas water tanks!

“The Little Store”, “The Big Hill”, and Dunnings place,

Are landmarks burned into my mind;

Even if I looked for the rest of my life,

Another San Dimas I never will find!

~ James Ryland

Affairs of the Heart is available for purchase in e-book format.