Richard D. Remler

I wish that I were ten again,
Just to see the things as they were then,

Back when life had a slower pace,
And I had a much younger face.

I'd run wild and barefooted through the park,
And play kick the can 'til after dark.

And I'd outrun every firefly
That lit up my late, late Summer sky.

I wish that I were ten again,
Just to hear the way I'd say amen

Each time good Marion would swear
When I'd put a beetle in her hair.

And she'd jump and scream and call me names.
Oh, we were crazy kids with silly games.

It did not take much to make us smile,
Oh, to be ten again for one short while.

I wish that I were ten again,
Life was so very different then...

We'd turn this valley upside down,
Whenever the fair came to town.

Exploring every hidden thing
Their mysteries and magics bring.

And how they'd swell and light the night
So big and loud and fierce and bright!

And there were times that I'd skip class
Just to make trails in the tall, tall grass

Right outside Baker's General Store,
Before they called Dad into war.

Before things that I could not understand
Brought him back a different man.

A man who's heart could not recall
The child playing basketball.

That's why I'd climb that tree at my Grandma's house
As cleverly as any mouse,

And I'd climb as high as I could get,
And stay there 'til the sun would set.

And I'd watch the colors of the sky,
As the nighttime drifted by.

No, I don't mind every now and then
To wish that I were ten again...