My Hometown Poem by Theresa Ann Moore

In a small town near the lake
I grew as an impressionable child
Everything was easy going
Each day was greeted with a smile

A traffic light ushered the flow
At the five point intersection
People waited patiently
Before choosing a familiar direction

People knew each other by name
Brightly colored stained glass
Windows captured the glow…
As people gathered on Sunday for mass.

People assembled at the docks
Buying worms and motorboat gas
A leisurely day of fishing was ahead
Ending as dusk filled the hourglass

Yesterday, I returned to my hometown…
Meeting with friends to reminisce and dine
Our waitress was impatient and abrupt
Her strained smile was less than genuine

Sitting near a window viewing a repair garage…
It replaced our church and its bell-ringing steeple
Pedestrians walk stiffly as though programmed
Passing cars carry an array of nondescript people

Conversation carries my thoughts back in time
As an elderly couple sits down two tables away
The gentleman has a familiar appearance…
He tenderly speaks to his wife with hair of gray

His dark brown eyes absorb her presence
He seldom diverts his caring devoted gaze...
Except to cool his tea with spoonfuls of ice water
Past and present mellow into an appreciated day

Plates of half eaten food are cleared from our table
Warm baked pie rescues a disappointing meal
Departure is evident as our conversation is exhausted
The lingering lake mist holds memories that are unreal