Fishtown kids weren't hungry
We played, then dined on soup.
We sailed the Soupy Island Boat for free.
Dad worked the fishery; earning a small salary
Dads drank in the brewery Moms convened on marble stoops.
Fishtown kids weren't hungry.
Summer days, sailing the Delaware, carefree
Can't call a Fishtown kid a dupe
We sailed the Soupy Island Boat for free.
We landed at Red Bank, New Jersey; climbed trees,
Rode the carousel, swam; fifty kids in our group.
Fishtown kids weren't hungry.
We thought the soup savory One might disagree
America was feeding us on her trusty sloop.
We sailed the Soupy Island Boat for free.
In 1945, rent overdue: Not to worry!
We had each other we shared our bread and soup.
Fishtown kids weren't hungry
We sailed the Soupy Island Boat for free.
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Author:
Joan Reese (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 18th, 2025 20:02
- Comment from author about the poem: Fishtown in the 1940's was a poor area in Philadelphia. My step-mother told me the story of the Soupy Island Boat. People who experienced riding on the boat have fond summer memories. This poem is in a Philadelphia Poetry Anthology. After I gave a reading of my poem, a gentleman approached me and said I was able to capture the feelings from his childhood..
- Category: Friendship
- Views: 12
- Users favorite of this poem: Priya Tomar
Offline)
Comments3
Tough times not noticed by the children that found it normal and even fun not knowing anything else. A nostalgic poem
Very well.
Your mind still has memories....
Lovely !
A reminder that we have been through times before, just in those days it was the Norm and nearly everyone was in the same boat, people got on with it and the children still managed to have fun, enjoyed the read
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