What Ever Happened To Those Make Believe Days? Poem by Catherine Inscore

Cowboys and Indians
dress-up shoot ‘em up
what happened to those days of
make believe?

Lil boys playin’ ball
Kicking the can
In the street yard
Dodge ball or stickball
It’s one thing or another

Runnin’ bases made from mamma’s
Old sofa pillows
Baseballs sewn over and over
Till they are unrecognizable

Still we played—
Our mom’s called us
With strained voices
Echoing in the alleys
Of crowded streets

We played on
Like there was no tomorrow
We begged for more
Until the streetlights

Went on
Forget supper
Who would have guessed?
Video games could replace
Freedom of sunshine

Fresh air—friendship
And fun…
What have they created?
Obesity, Couch potatoes,
Oblivious to life—to death

Rip out the cords of animosity
of ignorance, of idleness
bring back the days
of youthfulness
and dreams