Snow Days. Children building snowmen. Weatherman told a true story last night when he forecast the winter storm for parts of Arkansas. That’s my true sentence for today’s writing.
Interesting stats showed on Facebook when people discussed whether local schools would close because of the weather forecast. As one family waited for the phone call announcing the school’s decision, the father said his child thought the school secretary was better than Santa Claus.
An unexpected free day from school is exciting for kids and I imagine for teachers, as well. Coming on a Monday, it’s a bonus.
If I were in charge of running the schools, I’d give the youngsters more time to grow up in the home environment. Even with a working mother, the child who spends time with a relative, a babysitter, or in daycare can still enjoy the experience of being just a child. When little children begin school so very young, and leave the house so early and stay away long hours, they are exchanging something for that. They’re paying a price for their education. Not to mention that, as they get older, their homework and participation in school sports, after hours, are time and energy-consuming––but it is part of the package. What a price!
* * *
Eggs for Bubble Gum
I traded eggs, still warm, for bubble gum
and always gave my baby sister some.
We blew big bubbles like balloons of pink,
until they burst and stuck upon our cheeks.
We both blew bubbles quickly as a blink.
I liked the gum I got from Peddler Weeks
and always gave my baby sister some.
I traded eggs, still warm, for bubble gum.
c Copyright 1996, Freeda Baker Nichols
Published in Poems by Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas
A Mother’s Celebrity
Today I saw a cenotaph
near where the children played,
and there for hours I stayed
and thought I heard the children laugh,
for carved upon a stone
by little hands unknown,
I found a famous autograph.
c Copyright,1993, Freeda Baker Nichols
Published in Tradition
Freeda Baker Nichols 