The Pleasures of Not Knowing
Growing up in the country23 total reviews
Comment from Terry Broxson
This is exceptional writing. You tell a story, better in poetry than most can do in prose. The words are strong, the message powerful, and so many of us can relate. My mother made all our shirts when we were growing up. We never knew we were poor and we were happy. Terry.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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This is exceptional writing. You tell a story, better in poetry than most can do in prose. The words are strong, the message powerful, and so many of us can relate. My mother made all our shirts when we were growing up. We never knew we were poor and we were happy. Terry.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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Thanks, for the exceptional rating, Terry. I think most of us didn't know we were poor. Mainly, because everyone around us lived the same way. I appreciate your generous rating.
Comment from LJbutterfly
I so totally enjoyed this poem as it brought back so many memories. I grew up in the city, but experienced many of the same things as you and my cousins in the country. My two sisters and I fought for blanket and bed space, and enjoyed the same TV shows after having a tall glass of Kool-Aid for dinner. I grew up on the junior choir at church and didn't know we were poor until I went to college.
Your poem is delightful, heartfelt, and revealing. Congratulations on placing in the contest. It's well deserved.
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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I so totally enjoyed this poem as it brought back so many memories. I grew up in the city, but experienced many of the same things as you and my cousins in the country. My two sisters and I fought for blanket and bed space, and enjoyed the same TV shows after having a tall glass of Kool-Aid for dinner. I grew up on the junior choir at church and didn't know we were poor until I went to college.
Your poem is delightful, heartfelt, and revealing. Congratulations on placing in the contest. It's well deserved.
Comment Written 07-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2022
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Thank you so much for sharing your common experiences with me. I appreciate your review.
Comment from John Ciarmello
It is amazing, Sandra, how if our worlds never catch up with the gold, we remain happy forever with the raw sugars of our lives. This is beautiful and tells your story perfectly. It seems a life I wouldn't mind having lived. Sensational! Best, JohnC.
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
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It is amazing, Sandra, how if our worlds never catch up with the gold, we remain happy forever with the raw sugars of our lives. This is beautiful and tells your story perfectly. It seems a life I wouldn't mind having lived. Sensational! Best, JohnC.
Comment Written 06-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 06-Oct-2022
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Thanks for the review. No John, you would not have wanted my childhood. Read Fluffy, Wishful Thinking, Runaway, any number of poems in my portfolio. This was only a photo from a much larger album. Thanks!
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I will read them, Sandra! I didn't mean to make light of your childhood. I've only recently fanned you, so I will have to go back to the earlier post. I still enjoyed the photo from the larger album. :)
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No offense taken. Just wanted you to be aware it was one photo. We are cool!
Comment from jaded831
I grew up poor in Brooklyn, New York, our experiences a bit different, yet the same. I never felt poor, we always had food and love. I really relate to your poem, but need to read them all.
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2022
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I grew up poor in Brooklyn, New York, our experiences a bit different, yet the same. I never felt poor, we always had food and love. I really relate to your poem, but need to read them all.
Comment Written 05-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2022
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Thanks for the review. Many related to that poem for the same reason you gave. I appreciate your fairness in reading all the entries.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Golly gee we share much in common though many of your selections were Selectively mandated by my mother when it came to watching Teevee. I wanted to watch all the shoot-em-up westerns. Well done and Congratulations for your nomination.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2022
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Golly gee we share much in common though many of your selections were Selectively mandated by my mother when it came to watching Teevee. I wanted to watch all the shoot-em-up westerns. Well done and Congratulations for your nomination.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2022
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Yes, my poems about country living are relatable to many folks. Thanks for reading and commenting on my poem. I was surprised it was nominated. Thanks!
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Your welcome or should that be welcomed. Seems it should be the latter as whenever I use suppose spellcheck tells me it should be supposed. Do you know?
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Should be you are welcome. Think what you say when someone say thanks. You never put the "ed" on it.
Comment from Annmuma
I identified with so many of the memories. I don't think I have heard the word 'hoecakes' since I was a child. We called pancakes 'hoecakes' when they were made with water instead of milk! And catching the fireflies --I loved that; you don't see those anymore and that's a big loss == in my opinion. Laying in clover beds and dreaming or 'identifying' clouds. 'Just as I Am' was a Sunday staple that made church a necessary part of our lives. We were not poor -- we were blessed with a lack of 'extras' allowing us to learn who we really were. Thanks for a great poem and a walk down memory lane. ann
reply by the author on 19-Sep-2022
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I identified with so many of the memories. I don't think I have heard the word 'hoecakes' since I was a child. We called pancakes 'hoecakes' when they were made with water instead of milk! And catching the fireflies --I loved that; you don't see those anymore and that's a big loss == in my opinion. Laying in clover beds and dreaming or 'identifying' clouds. 'Just as I Am' was a Sunday staple that made church a necessary part of our lives. We were not poor -- we were blessed with a lack of 'extras' allowing us to learn who we really were. Thanks for a great poem and a walk down memory lane. ann
Comment Written 19-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 19-Sep-2022
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Ann, thank you for the exceptional rating. I appreciate your ongoing support for my poetry on this site. You are appreciated.
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
I enjoyed this journey through memory lane, where you presented your years of growing up. I could see an entire era through your pictures, presented so well in words. I could identify well from my own "earlier" growing up years that we were poor, but I didn't realize it then. I considered it to be outstanding, even with one grammatical error. "Laid" should be "lay" in the line "found an adventure as I laid."
reply by the author on 16-Sep-2022
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I enjoyed this journey through memory lane, where you presented your years of growing up. I could see an entire era through your pictures, presented so well in words. I could identify well from my own "earlier" growing up years that we were poor, but I didn't realize it then. I considered it to be outstanding, even with one grammatical error. "Laid" should be "lay" in the line "found an adventure as I laid."
Comment Written 16-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 16-Sep-2022
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Thank you for your comments and exceptional rating. The poem is told in past tense. The past and past participle of "lay" is laid. I appreciate your reading and rating!
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Lay requires a direct object. The verb you used (to lie down) is lie/lay/lain. (though most people use it incorrectly-except for English teachers)
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Well, I am an English teacher who forgot that rule and used it wrong. LOL Thanks for the lesson.
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That was one of my hardest lessons to get across, even to gifted students, because we hear it wrong most of the time. Thanks for your honesty. You're a good writer.
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I appreciate you reminding me. We all at times make mistakes with our language. I am not exempted.
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Nor am I exempt either!
Comment from judiverse
I can certainly relate to this. I had similar experiences as a child, although I grew up on a farm. I wore hand-me-down clothes from my cousins. I remember that black and white TV and those shows. Had to watch "I love Lucy" and the "Ed Sullivan Show." The Amateur Hour I remember from radio. I think I felt that same way as you. We were poor but had a lot to keep us occupied. judi
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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I can certainly relate to this. I had similar experiences as a child, although I grew up on a farm. I wore hand-me-down clothes from my cousins. I remember that black and white TV and those shows. Had to watch "I love Lucy" and the "Ed Sullivan Show." The Amateur Hour I remember from radio. I think I felt that same way as you. We were poor but had a lot to keep us occupied. judi
Comment Written 15-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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We have more in common than we have differences. I wish people would understand this. Thanks for the review.
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Hello, Ms Sandy,
Wonderful imagery. I can easily visualize all the details of your young life. The long list of sweets made me hungry...hehehe
How do you make "Rode bicycles assembled from the smorgasbord" ? That sounds hard to do.
"Wore hand-me- downs or rummage sale clothes, that had styles and colors new to me." I love second hand stores. It's like a treasure hunt.
"space in a bed shared with two sisters." I shared a bed with my sister and next to us was my grandma and little brother.
You brought some memories... thank you for sharing.
Gypsy aka MariVal
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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Hello, Ms Sandy,
Wonderful imagery. I can easily visualize all the details of your young life. The long list of sweets made me hungry...hehehe
How do you make "Rode bicycles assembled from the smorgasbord" ? That sounds hard to do.
"Wore hand-me- downs or rummage sale clothes, that had styles and colors new to me." I love second hand stores. It's like a treasure hunt.
"space in a bed shared with two sisters." I shared a bed with my sister and next to us was my grandma and little brother.
You brought some memories... thank you for sharing.
Gypsy aka MariVal
Comment Written 15-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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How do you make "Rode bicycles assembled from the smorgasbord" ? Easy, a bicycle seat from a bike no longer having tires, a bicycle handle from the same bike. a bike chain from another. They were mainly patched together bikes that we took turns riding.
Little children don't like old, hand me down clothes.
Glad you enjoyed the poem, and thanks for the review.
Comment from dragonpoet
Sandra,
It sounds like you got a lot of joy out of your life even though you were poor. It showed that your parents did well by you and made life seem like you had all you needed (bikes, swings, books). It made you more thankful for the special treats in life. Maybe faith helped here.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Joan
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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Sandra,
It sounds like you got a lot of joy out of your life even though you were poor. It showed that your parents did well by you and made life seem like you had all you needed (bikes, swings, books). It made you more thankful for the special treats in life. Maybe faith helped here.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Joan
Comment Written 15-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2022
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Thanks for your review and comments. My parents were not great people by no means. They did not do well by me. I survived and scratched out some joy despite their presence. Had to bring you back to my real reality beyond this poem.
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You're welcome, Sandra. Sorry, I got the wrong idea from your poem.
Joan
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Nothing to apologize for. You had no way of knowing.
