Barefoot, the hot pavement beneath my feet.
Coins clutched in hand for snow cones, what a treat!
There was a city park two blocks away,
my friends and I would go there every day.
On tenement back porches we would play,
the "pump" was opened for its cooling spray.
All summer we'd stay out until night fell,
Chicago summers, I remember well.
In back alleys we'd play red light-green light,
and freeze tag, statues, what a funny sight.
Then our moms would call us home and we would run,
it's crazy how we all had so much fun.
Two buses we would take down to the beach,
the sixty-third street beach is what we'd reach.
A stand sold hot dogs, but mom packed a lunch,
on sandwiches and fruit, we all would munch.
The families in my building all were poor,
but we had just enough, not wanting more.
It's funny as a kid how you don't know
you're impoverished, cause it didn't really show.
For me at least my family life was strong,
the love and care they gave helped me along.
Not all good, I was bullied at my school,
but mostly I was happy as a rule.
Grew up a 1960's city kid,
did it affect me? Yes, I think it did.
I now appreciate all that I had,
the memories of youth make me feel glad.
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