I remember when phone calls were a dime
When burning the flag was a crime
No air conditioning or television
Driving without fear of a collision
One could camp and not see a soul
When no road had a toll
One worked an hour for a dollar
A high school graduate was a scholar
When a coke was a nickel
From a barrel of brine they sold a pickle
When outside a butcher a carcass hung
The Star Spangled Banner with pride was sung
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: July 31st, 2026 03:26
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 40
- Users favorite of this poem: Paul Bell, Kevin Hulme, Tristan Robert Lange, cellinic, Fromthearchive
- In collections: change, Nostalgia.

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Comments10
A thoughtful reflection on how time shapes our memories and values.
Thank you Soneil for the review your words mean a good deal and are always appreciated
You are welcome.
What the hell happened.
You fly the British flag in Britain, you probably get arrested.
The world has gone to hell, and there's no way back now.
I now identify as a roick.
Thanks so much my friend roicks unfortunately left with rocks in the stone age we are in an age of plastic where everything is disposable. Appreciate the read and comment as well as adopting the badge of honor.
I Remember when there was only 3 TV Channels. Now there's Countless, and all showing Rubbish. Times Change but sometimes not for the Better.
Enjoyed.
Thank you so much Kevin I appreciate you and your support. Yes and even when we finally got TV it signed off at 10:00. When I started to drive gas was thirteen cents a gallon, and with gas wars with competitors not Iran they at times gave it away.
My Pleasure.
a lovely flow my friend
That was my growing up view of that United States. So much has changed since then. 🙏🏻🕊️
Indeed it has Cryptic a few months ago when I went back it was not the country I grew up in gas nearly five dollars a gallon and they tell me inflation is three percent. Thanks so much for the read and comment my friend.
Most welcome, Soren
This is a wonderfully nostalgic piece, Soren. The steady accumulation of everyday memories allows an entire vanished way of life to emerge through ordinary details. It is remarkable how those seemingly small things become landmarks in memory...often carrying the greatest emotional weight. Beautifully done, my friend! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you Tristan your words serve as encouragement and support. They are deeply appreciated as are you
Good write SB. I'm considering a poem with that anthem tune - rather long lines though.
Thanks so much Orchi. That tune is an old British drinking song so it might work.
I've heard about a country where the supreme leader's face will appear on passeports and banknotes !
the good old days aren't over yet !
thanks Lorenz yes the rumor is true but atypical in that most people on currency or such are dead. Maybe he will be too by the time it happens.
Sors digna Caesare !
Excellent soren
Took me back to when we had a 9 planet solar system
And 5 continents
Oh yes I was in school at the time and that was what was taught
A good reflection, deep and overwhelming, a fave, my friend
Thank you so much I appreciate your review and your words
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