Once there was a girl

    Who had a crush on a boy

        Who had a happy little pup

    Who liked to chase the cat

Who just liked to nap

     but was awakened by the mouse

        Who liked to run through the house

    And frighten the mom

Who really loved the dad

     Who liked to fish with his boy

          Who had a crush on a girl...

Yelling and laughing.

Balls hitting bats.

Wheels on the streets,

wheels on the grass.

Hiding in the darkness

hoping you can't be found.

Skin color not uttered

with harshness.

Friends come from all 

around.

Running, swimming,

and catching.

Not worrying if anything's

matching.

Teddy bears, toys,

cookouts.

Cartoons, night-visioned

stakeouts.

Late nights, scary stories,

Sneaking treats.

Rare baths, candy,

and dirty feet.

Not caring if it's bedtime

or day-time,

wanting to play all day.

Waiting for times

to sneak out,

so the games won't stop 

or die out.

Let's see - 65 years ago...   riding my bike after school, roller skating ("who took the key?"), watching Howdy Doody, Buffalo Bill, and Clarabell, getting my early sexual awakening listening to Gene Autry sing. No remote control for our black and white TV. "What? No remote?" "And only three channels." "What? Was this in the Dark Ages?"

"And what do your kids do in 2016?" "Well.... they have their computer games. They walk the dog when I threaten them. They go to Grandma's house with us on Thanksgiving if I promise them a new computer game. They're good kids."