Mornin' Star Poem by Kate Wiley

While Venus was bright in the eastern sky
We'd get up and into our Levi jeans
Before the sun was all the way up,
Sneak out of the house while everyone else
Was fast asleep-. We'd go out the gate
And down the dirt road they called a street
To a little store we knew would be
Already open. We'd go in, some change
In our pockets. The man behind the counter
Was always cheerful and smiling. He'd say
'Mornin' girls, out already? '
We'd duck our heads. 'Whatcha be wantin'? '
We'd look over the array of stuff he had
Piled on the counter, and behind glass panels.
What to buy? It had to be good,
Because our change wouldn't go very far.
'That.' I'd say tersely, for I was very shy.
'Is that all? ' grinning, the man would say.
I would nod, and he'd give it to me.
I'd hand him my dime, and back away.
Looking at my cousin then, he'd say,
'And what about you, young lady, today? '
She'd tell him what she wanted and pay him her dime.
'See you later, girls.' He'd call after us.
Then, oh joy, back to Grandpa's barn
And up to the loft, where we hung out a lot,
To settle down and enjoy our treats.
So it was when I was ten.