Written for: Poets and Storytellers United
Weekly Scribblings #27: “Things Were Different Back Then” (posted by Magaly)
“If you’ve ever been in the presence of a vintage soul (AKA someone who has lived more than a few decades and who stays in a constant state of bewilderment in the face of their perception of change), then it is very likely that you’ve heard a version of “Things were different back then.” The words are often accompanied by looks and sighs that are pure longing… unless the change in question refers to something nasty or hurtful or worse, in which case the pronouncement is probably coated with relief or shrouded with inherited rage.”
Go out and play
get some fresh air,
it’s a beautiful day.
Remember, play fair.
Dad sent us to the corner
for his beloved Dutch Masters,
cigars that would surely restore
him, when when his horse came in dead last.
We took buses and trains
thinking nothing of it
never scared, it was our domain.
We’d buy orangeade and donuts
at Chock-Full-Of-Nuts, then buy some
45s, with Sides A and B.
Take the train back home and run
to get in for supper, promptly.
It is a tougher world for kids
these days, making them tense and stressed.
I wish them joy, friends to play with,
and recall of days that seemed best.
purplepeninportland 
Oh, your first verse in particular raised my own memories! Yes, I am glad to have grown up in an era when we could go roaming around so much more safely.
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That was truly a different age.
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I, too, wish them joy, and awareness that comes with less stress. Sigh. In the case, balance seems so elusive.
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I don’t think children can deal with much more stress without serious consequences.
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So true. I’ve never heard of so many children suffering from anxiety as they are today.
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I feel so sad for the little ones wearing masks. There’s something so other-worldly about it. They will certainly have tales to tell their children!
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It must be frightening and uncertain to be a child now.
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Often, memories will sustain us during stressful times, when nothing else can.
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Yes, that is so true.
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The world has changed. We lived in the country and my parents scared me near because the Gypsies might take me. We would see bands of them traveling with horses and wagons through the country so we knew they were around and didn’t go far alone.. And they had a large camp to the west side of town by the abandoned brick factory. Also the warning, don’t accept rides with strangers. I did turn down some later to hear of their good report for me to Dad.
..
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So, you were a well-behaved child!
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I remember “go out and play” ~
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A classic!
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