I was a teen in the forties after World War Two. During the war it was said that secret codes were hidden on the back of postage stamps. That must have been the impetus for what became a fad for my friends and me. One girl in our group was amazing! I never was impressive with my ability. My mind was turned to this event when I received the prompt “Friends” as Day Three Poetry lesson.
ON THE BACK OF A POSTAGE STAMP
Thinking of friends when I was young;
School was out and we had fun.
Eating pickles from a dill pickle jar;
Crowding thirteen kids in a car.
Making clunking sounds in a cave;
Scared the guys but they acted brave.
Arm wrestling on a picnic table;
Some tried hard but never were able.
Sharing stories and telling tall tales;
Playing games – one wins, one fails.
Roasting marshmallows and playing croquet;
Tossing horseshoes and riding in the hay.
Playing baseball on Sunday afternoon,
But it got dark way too soon.
Saying goodbye from summer camp;
And writing each other on a postage stamp.
Sweet aroma 
“I said I liked it but I loved it” 🙂
There’s Summer and Friends and Discoveries all over it (it being your wise words)
Turtle Hugs
How nice of you, sweet Turtle. I thank you.
OH! I remember playing croquet! It’s been so long! I also remember staying out until dark, climbing up into a very tall tree house, riding my bike all over the area. Sigh.
The grown ups in our families played quite a bit of croquet. Like everything else out of doors, I wasn’t very good at it. Sounds like your tree house should hold a story or two. Bound to be a lesson there.
I think one is scheduled coming up soon. HA!
😀
I don’t know about secret codes, but my dad had a German map that was printed on the back of a sheet of postage stamps. Apparently paper was in short supply, and they found ways to make do for any number of things.
Your poem certainly recalls my childhood summers. I’m so glad we had them — and no matter what anyone claims, they were better than what many (most?) kids have today.
I remember being very impressed when I saw a stamp with the entire “Lord’s Prayer” on it. I would love my kids kids kids to have the experience I had. We didn’t have much but we had as much as everyone else, except for the one boy with a car. I guess for that week we were all part owner. Thanks, Linda, for remembering with me.
I remember those carefree days, too, only mine came about 15 years later. The world was still in sane mode at that point.
I had a couple of sisters came near your time and they turned out quite nicely. 😀
I remember Jacks and Chinese Jump-robe. Also, sidewalk chalk. Hugs!
Sidewalk chalk was for city kids much younger than I. But yes we did jacks – sometimes on those same tables where we ate and arm wrestled. I don’t remember Chinese jump rope – or any other jump rope during those days. Nice to pull out the memories.
Sounds like fun summers as a teenager. Much simpler than things seem to be know, but you write about it fondly.
Nice memories. We had family fun in those days. We didn’t “have” much, but we did “do” much. Thanks, Mandibelle, for commenting.
Beautifully reminiscent Oneta and I really enjoyed the rhythm and pace of your poem 🙂
Thank you, Colette. To a large extent my poetry experience is the rhythm and rhyme sort of poems, both for reading and writing. I have an un-rhymed poem today “Journey.” That’s unusual for me.
I’ll be back for a catch-up reading visit soon and look forward to reading your ‘Journey’ poem then 🙂
Your recycled book post tends to make me think you will particularly enjoy “Journey.” See you later.
You beautiful reminders of your childhood always evoke stirring and fond memories of my own. Thank you for writing your post. I remember climbing so high up a tree with a mango and a book no one could find me. I was missing for hours. (Too scared to climb down). That’s a long ago memory you brought back by your poem. Thank you Oneta!
Now that sounds like quite an experience! We had swings in trees, but I don’t remember ever having a tree house. Where I was raised there were very few trees. We do have a hammock in trees here where I live now. My husband likes it. He and the granddaughters have a great time. I haven’t mastered getting in it yet! Not a pretty sight. 😀
What a beautiful youthful memories. I love this.
Thank you, Jacque. Your words are like “apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Bible Proverb.