KICK THE CAN ©

When I was young,

How I loved to 'Play the hero',

To be the one

Who set the others free;

But, now it's rough, I'm just 'Another zero',

It's hard enough

To just take care of me...

Yet, memory still retains the sight,

Of 'Standing up' for what was 'Right',

Of 'Taking turns' at waiting for the swing;

The 'Sleeping out' and 'Marshmallow roasts',

The stories we told about 'Terrible ghosts',

Deciding which girl 'I liked the most',

Then, giving that girl 'My ring'...

Of having a friend 'To stay over',

Of finding a 'Four leaf clover',

Folding the paper to make a 'Hat' or a 'Fan';

"He found a nickel, the lucky bum",

Sharing the 'Popsicle' or 'Bubble gum',

"Ready or not, here I come..."

Running to 'Kick the can'...

Of building a 'Fort'

Way up in a tree,

Of painting a sign

For 'Boys only',

Knowing the 'Crawdad'

Was going to pinch your hand;

The afternoon swimming

Down at the 'Creek',

The 'All day suckers',

And 'Sharing a lick' ,

Wishing 'To heck'

To grow up 'Real quick'...

Lord, I'd love another chance

To 'Kick the can'...