Big Kid Small Town

When I was a kid, about ten,
Living in a small town,
The streets were all mine,
And I was free to roam until sundown.

I would leave the house every day,
Ride my bike to get my best friend, Vic,
And we would race across town,
From end to end, until we got sick

The only places we went
Were the bandstand park or the little store
We got two pieces of gum.
For a quarter, sometimes more.

Pedaling like hell to get away,
We were outlaws on the run.
The park behind Main Street school only had two swings,
But those monkey bars were fun.

We’d go home when hungry,
Eat, then be back out the door.
That big taste of freedom was all we needed
In that small town, we’d explore.

Never once was there a worry.
Until the sun started to fade.
When the street lights came on,
My curfew had been made.

I’d say goodbye to my buddy Vic.
And make my way back home.
A little kid who felt grown
In that tiny town where I’d often roam alone

The lonesome whistle of a late-night train
The sound of bullfrogs or a night owl screech
The melodic drip of a summer rain
These things pull me back to my hometown now, in a deep sleep

I could count the stars in the sky at night
Without smog or bright lights to drown the view
Bushes covered in fireflies glittered bright
Like golden mounds covered in misty dew

I had so many wasted years of dreams
Of where time did not move at a snail’s pace
I now know the only thing that I need
Is to return to that much simpler place

But my small town has completely vanished
Her quiet streets will never comfort me
My hope of returning has been banished
All that’s left are this old man’s memories

I took the hot and dusty back road that twisted into my old hometown.
hoping that some of those good old days might still be there, hangin around.
I looked for some of those good times I had when I was still young and free.
When nothing in this world could stop me from being who I wanted to be.
Walking down the streets looking for lost love, I could start over again.
But all I could find were memories of days gone wrong, days gone by.

I was always told that anything good would never last.

And you will never find what you need, walking down dusty roads of the past.

So, I’ll keep my head up high
and chase my dreams with all my might.
I am from a small town,
the world within my sight.

To Michael:

There are days when I wake up happy

Again, inside the fullness of life

Until the moment breaks

Onto the black tide of life

Flickers of guilt kindle regret

For all that was left unsaid and done.

Blessings from a small-town boy.