Childhood 1949

Flying kites and pillow fights
And lay me down to sleep nights
Lions and apes and towel capes
For Captain Marvel flying

Skipping rocks and building blocks
And Joe Palooka fighting
Kicking cans and Kool Aid stands
And lots of fish for biting

Jumping jacks and marble sacks
And treasures in a stocking
Raccoon tails and cowboy jails
And make like keys for locking

Butter churns and windmill turns
And mama's morning laughter
Running free, my dog and me
And dragons running after

Climbing trees and skinned-up knees
And a broomstick horse for riding
Bales of hay to hide and play
And a hound for sit beside me

Bear traps laid and slingshots made
From grandma's worn-out girdles
Popgun soldiers on the prowl
For grizzly bears and turtles

Beds of grain and sheets of rain
And hold tight nights of thunder
Owls that hoot and Lash Larue
And heroes gone asunder

Nightmare fears and grandma's tears
And gingerbrеad to bake me
Wherе was I when childhood died
And manhood came to take me