'The Things We Use To Do' Poem by Linda Winchell

The things we did as children
We wouldn’t do them again today.
Like climbing trees and running fast
Falling and getting up with skinned knees.

We seemed to have no problem
With the things we did back then.
But just even the thought of it
Makes me want to cringe.

Sliding down tall sliding boards
While burning the backs of our small legs.
Climbing trees to check out
A nest of birds hatched from their eggs.

Playing ball on the corner lot
No helmets way back then.
Riding bikes as fast as we could
Going faster than the wind.

Playing jacks and marbles
Never placing them in our mouths.
Playing until dark at times
Parents never worrying where we were about.

Things have changed or have they?
Maybe we’re the ones who’ve changed?
Nothing on this earth as I’ve grown older
Seems really to be the same.

By: Linda Winchell
Copyright: 2009