Long Ago
Long ago, when I was young
each new day was an adventure.
There was no plan, except to be outside.
No choices, but to choose the right toy.
No obstacles, except enough time.
Our clocks were our bellies.
We could ride our bikes to Neverland
command an army of little men
manage a baseball team of cards
and trade Ted Williams for Joe DiMaggio.
With a bat and a ball
we could play ‘til we were called.
With an old wooden crate and some wheels
we were in the Indy 500.
If it was sweltering hot
we could go for a swim.
If it snowed we could build a fort
but if it rained we had to go in.
It was the greatest time of innocence
but I remember how it all came to an end.
It was a bright sunny day when the truck arrived
but it all became cloudy
when the first girl moved in.