Colorado Small Town Memories Poem by John Lyday
Colorado Small Town Memories
A dog named Pups and a cat named Kitty,
together they roam the city.
But it’s not really a city, is it?
Two blocks of main street is all they visit.
It’s an old town that never grew.
None of the buildings are considered new,
a grocery, dime stone, hardware and such
gas station and drug store – not much.
One road in and one road out,
the end of the journey no doubt,
or the beginning if you should flee
the roots that bind you to it’s creed.
Dusty, unpaved country roads,
snakes and lizards and horny toads,
sagebrush, cottonwoods and tumbleweeds,
plenty of land for nature’s needs.
Tiny side streets with massive yards,
a block away from cattle guards,
black incinerators to burn the trash,
with only lids to block the ash.
Below the road and beside the river,
an Indian agency is the giver
of a park filled with playful things,
a teepee, teeter totter, slides and swings.
Across town on the other side,
a rodeo arena where cowboys ride,
A buffalo resides inside a cage
beside a casino where bets are waged.
They all go hunting during season,
for fun or meat or no good reason.
At the grocer’s they hang their kills,
trophies of their killing skills.
In winter kids are very fond
of skating on Huck Finn pond,
or if they seek a different thrill,
they ride their sleds down Paso Hill.
A group of teens feeling frisky
get drunk on beer and whiskey.
While most respect the sheriff’s star,
a few take potshots at his car.
If divinity is why they search,
many find their way at church,
praying for sins that God should ease,
diehard Christians on their knees.
Pups and Kitty would come home,
together, not alone.
Be it damned or be it praised,
It’s the town where I was raised.
John your poetry haven sounds very idyllic.I've lived in small communities but nothing that little.Whenever we travel across country we see many little hamlets and small communities-if you blink you miss them.Good thing the internet's there! ! ! Where ever you roam home is your heart.Very good rhyme all the way through.Hope you submit more poems soon and welcome to PoemHunter! ! ! ! !
Small town sentiment painted into a portrait of life that i can almost taste with your vividly written imagery. A definite 10+++ for me and i will be around for more from you :) Thanks for sharing.
wow...that's all I can say. haha. it reminds me of where my aunt kind of lives. great imagery. takes you on a journey
Your imagery and skill and so noticable in this finely woven art Love duncan X
John: Nicely done. My memories of Durango are limited to two or three visits between the ages of 6 and 14. Used to love the train to Silverton. You've captured a universal small town attitude here. You could be speaking of any small town from Durango to Julesburg. Many thanks. -G
A taste of pure nostalgia! This reminded me of my childhood days growing up in rural Ohio. Much the same flavor. Love the imagery here - such a simple place and a much less complicated atmosphere. You painted quite a picture with this piece, John - thank you! Linda : -)
hello sir... this is simply a splendid write.....a very professional and one at that....i enjoyed it till the end...liked the rhythm and the flow of this one too...this simply a great one.....nice..bring back memories of my home town too..now i live in a concrete forest....and in a housing scheme...this is superb///hats off A++
A lovely poem and smaller then I'd think ours was. I live in a bigger town but I get the same veiw and knowing thank you.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/23/2024 10:41:23 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Wonderful write you paint such a vivid picture and give the impression of feeling trapped 10+++