THE HOUSE DOWN MEMORY LANE
The little house is only a few hours drive away,
But it belongs to another time and another day!
My Grandma who loved me,
Doesn't live there anymore.
She is gone to her new home,
On Heaven's bright shore!
Now, there is nobody livin' there,
And the house is almost down.
The last time I drove by,
There was noone aroun'.
Grandpa left "the old home place" first,
Being the first to die.
Then, Grandma left for Heaven,
Ere' three months passed by.
Memories of bygone days,
Often touch my heart.
And, as I grow older,
They aren't as far apart!
I remember after church on Sundays,
We would all gather there!
Though there was a bunch of us,
Grandma didn't care.
She loved having her loved ones,
All gathered around,
And there was always plenty,
Of love to be found!
Before dinner all the womenfolk,
Including my mother,
Would be fixin' the food,
As they talked to each other!
The men would converse,
While we children would play,
Or sometimes "listen in,"
To what the men had to say.
Menfolk eating first was the rule of that day.
I don't ever remember having any other way.
But, even at the third table when we kids took our seat,
There was always enough for us little folks to eat!
In the afternoon we might go swimmin',
Play horseshoe, or ball!
But, whatever we did there was a good time had by all!
Memories of those days are still dear to me,
And sometimes in "my mind's eye" I can still see,
The house I frequented when I was just a boy.
And faces of those who once filled my heart with joy!
Yes, only precious memories are all that remain,
Of happy times spent in "the house down memory lane!"
Robert F. Dotson © 2007
THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE
(A Fictional Love Story)
Nestled in the heart of the Kentucky hills,
Surrounded by roses and daffodils,
And laced with honeysuckle vines,
Stood a little cabin built long ago,
By folks I was proud to know!
My grandparents chose the spot 'neath the whispering pines.
"It was our honeymoon cottage," Grandpa would say!
"We came straight here on our weddin' day,"
"And you know, we've been around here ever since!"
The setting was so serene,
"Picture perfect," if you know what I mean,
Right down to the little white picket fence!
Though Grandma was in her seventies she still would sew,
And can the vegetables they could grow,
In the little clearing at the top of the hill!
Though time had made a change in Grandma’s face,
In Grandpa’s heart noone could take her place.
In His eyes she was lovely still!
Grandpa was her gallant Knight!
Her face would light up when he came in sight!
Their love grew sweeter with the passing of time!
Yes, Friend it is plain to see if you have love,
That special gift from God above,
You can be happy even if you don’t have a dime!
They were married in the little church,
With the white steeple,
And with Grandpa’s and Grandma’s people,
There was barely room enough to stand.
The kin folks brought fiddles and five-stringed banjos,
Mandolins, guitars, and even dobros!
I’m telling you the music was mighty grand!
No couple was happier than those two!
The moment they said, “I do,”
Grandpa kissed his bride so tenderly.
‘Twas the beginning of a lasting marriage,
And as they sped away in a horse drawn carriage,
Their joy was plain to see!
But, now where the honeymoon cottage once stood,
There’s only a pile of rubble and wood.
The old folks have gone on to their Eternal reward!
However, today they are in the Promised Land,
Walking hand in hand,
And basking in the presence,
Of Jesus Christ their Lord!
Robert F. Dotson © 2007
BACK THEN
When I was young and in my prime,
It was a far better world,
And a slower pace of time!
Neighbors came to your rescue,
Because that's what friends are for!
And, nobody ever had to lock a door!
My family wouldn't have thought,
Of starting our day,
'Til we had a chance,
To read our Bible and pray!
One morning our prayer time,
Lasted longer than most!
You see, Daddy prayed through,
To the Holy Ghost!
He began to speak in tongues,
Which tickled us,
And my sister, Lucy and I,
Missed the school bus!
Daddy was a tenant farmer,
So the landlord got half,
Whether it was an acre of tobacco,
Or a newborn calf!
We would rise in the morning,
Before the sun,
And often it was dark,
When the work was all done!
Often we would go back,
To the stripping room at night,
And strip tobacco,
Under an electric light!
Friend, we were considered poor,
But we had plenty to eat,
For my Mom's cooking,
Just couldn't be beat!
We had a roof over our heads,
And clothes to wear,
And a God who always,
Answered our prayers!
Ah, times were often hard,
But God was on our side!
We found he was a Shelter,
In which we could hide!
We believed God,
For even the simplest things each day!
When trouble came, we would just pray!
Friend, the faith I have today,
As I feast upon God's truth,
Was planted in my heart,
In the days of my youth!
Robert F. Dotson © 2007
A TRIP WITH MY FRIEND MEMORY
Last night an old acquaintance,
Knocked upon my door.
It was my dear friend Memory,
Who came to visit me once more!
He said, "Old Pal my shiny train,
Is waiting on the track!"
So, I grabbed my hat, my coat, and my cane,
And we went flying back!
Back across the years we went,
To an old familiar place,
And there patiently waiting for me,
Was a most welcome face!
It was the lad that once was me,
Who met us with a grin!
"I knew you'd come again!"
We took a stroll down a country road,
Just Memory, the lad, and I,
And when we reached the little family abode,
I suppressed the urge to cry.
Next we went to the schoolhouse,
Where I learned to read and write
I saw my little childhood friends,
Who were a pleasant sight!
Each person that 1 met there,
Looked like they did before.
They sure were glad to see me!
They said so o'er and o'er!
We ran barefoot through a meadow,
And swung on the old grapevine,
Which caused the joy to overflow,
Within this heart of mine!
We visited the little church,
Where I attended as a lad!
We worshiped there as a family.
Of this I sure am glad!
Then, I found myself wishing,
I wouldn't have to leave the past.
But, I knew deep inside of me,
This visit wasn't meant to last.
So, with an aching heart I embraced the lad,
As Memory called "All Aboard!"
Then, the speeding train whisked me away,
From the place I once adored!
Back in time we went quickly
Over many, many years ,
And I found myself in my easy chair.
My eyes were filled with tears.
But, it seemed I heard the lad say,
From somewhere in my heart,
"Be patient, for there will come a day,”
“When we'll never have to part!"
Robert F. Dotson © 2007
MEMORY'S TRAIN
Once more I climb aboard memory's train,
And I'm whisked back to days of yore,
Beyond the sorrow and the pain,
Where I quickly find an open door!
Again I step into the past,
Though only for awhile I know.
For memories are not made to last,
Not even the ones we cherish so!
Sweet memories linger in my mind.
But like a vapor they soon disappear.
Yet each time they visit me I find,
A hidden treasure from yesteryear!
Sometimes I think of days gone by,
When life was whimsical and carefree!
Suddenly, I become the young lad that was 1,
And wonder just how this can be.
However without a worry on my mind,
I walk barefoot down a country road,
And chuckle with childish glee to find,
In my pocket a friendly toad!
Later, resting upon my shoulder,
I’ll carry a homemade fishin' pole,
And then alone or with someone older,
/"ll head for my favorite fishin' hole!
I love walking barefoot to the creek to wade,
With the grass like velvet beneath my feet!
And much later I finding a pleasant shade,
A welcome refuge from the heat!
Ah, the world was all mine back then,
No mountain was too tall!
But I must board memory's train again,
For I hear the present call!
Robert F. Dotson © 2006
AND THEN THERE WERE TWO
We were the Musketeers three,
Arnold, Charlie, and me!
We were close as brothers in many ways!
We were "as thick as thieves" back then,
Before we cousins became men,
Way back in the "good old days!"
We were just typical lads.
We weren't all that bad.
We'd just do things mischievous boys do!
We liked to have fun!
But, some of the things that were done,
I'm glad Grandpa Stitt never knew!
I remember even now,
How we would ride Grandpa's cow!
That was just one of the things we'd do.
We would also make trips,
To take a couple of sips,
Of Grandpa's apple cider brew!
On Sunday afternoons we might slip,
Off to the creek to "take a dip, "
Although I wasn't supposed to go!
But, it sure was fun,
And when all was said and done,
I guess that's why I enjoyed it so!
Ah, but the years quickly flew by,
And Arnold, Charlie, and I,
All married and our ways began to part!
Each one of us "settled down!"
I moved to a far away town!
But, fond memories linger in my heart.
Recently, Charlie passed away,
And they laid him 'neath the cold Kentucky clay,
In a graveyard surrounded by our kin.
Now there's only Arnold and me,
Of the Musketeers A, B, and C.
But, in Heaven I hope we three will meet again!
Friend, the requirements for Heaven are the same,
No matter our name,
Or who happens to be our kin!
To Calvary we must go,
And one dip 'neath the crimson flow,
Will wash away each and every sin!
Robert F. Dotson © 2006
WHERE HAVE YOU GONE?
Where have you gone my childhood friend?
Charlie, your life so suddenly came to an end.
They said you had just come in from the outside,
Complained of chest pains, and tragically died.
Charlie, we sure were close in our boyhood days,
As close as brothers in many ways!
I didn't have a brother and neither did you.
So, cousins seemed like brothers,
As they sometimes do!
You were second oldest of we cousins three!
We were all boys, Arnold, Charlie and me!
Those were really precious years.
We called ourselves "The Three Musketeers!"
If you saw one of us, you were likely to see all three,
We cousins , Arnold, Charlie, and me!
Economically, times were rough during World War II.
But, with the help of the Lord we made it through!
The Fifties brought ever changing days.
Then, in the Sixties we went our separate ways!
We married , became fathers, and grandfathers too!
Charlie, through the years I seldom saw you.
Yet, you remained very close to my heart
Though the distance and circumstance kept us apart!
Charlie, I'll admit, and there's no denying,
At our age we seldom think of dying.
God through salvation gives us the right to choose!
We decide whether we win or lose!
There are only two choices, Heaven or Hell!
I pray, my friend that you chose well!
If so, one day in Heaven's Fair Land,
I'll see you once more and shake your hand!
Robert F. Dotson © 2006
AH, SWEET MEMORIES!
Ah, sweet memories from my childhood,
Quite often I find,
Overcome life's clutter,
And flow gently through my mind!
I remember sleeping 'neath a tin roof,
To the rhythm of falling rain,
And waking the next morning,
With my young body free from pain!
I would lie there as the aroma,
Of Mama's bacon, eggs, and bread,
Came floating into my room,
And seemed to encircle my bed!
Back then we ate a hearty breakfast,
With all the family there.
Then, we'd gather at the family altar,
For our daily morning prayer!
I remember being close to my cousins!
We sure had a good time!
Like typical boys, we always loved to climb!
Quiet often our escapades were not all that good.
For, what one boy didn't think of,
The other two would.
We often played "Andy over",
Or ""tag"" while it was still light.
Then, we'd go inside and play "I spy",
Until bedtime that night!
Once my family made sorghum molasses,
Back in the Kentucky hills.
A mule provided the power,
To turn the sugar cane mill.
We put the syrup in an iron kettle,
And cooked it that night.
And when we tasted the finished product,
It was just right!
I remember church fellowship meetings,
With "dinner on the ground!"
No better food or fellowship,
Could anywhere be found!
I always enjoyed Vacation Bible School,
And the things we made!
Back then the foundation of my faith was laid!
In Sunday School I listened,
As the stories unfolded from God's word!
The story of David and Goliath.
Was the most exciting I'd heard!
But, the greatest story was about Jesus,
"The Man of Galilee,"
Who died a cruel death on Calvary,
To save a boy like me!
Robert F. Dotson © 2006
SOMEONE I USED TO KNOW
Not so very long ago,
Someone I used to know,
Was a bashful barefoot boy.
Like a warm summer breeze,
He was free as you please.
Even simple pleasures brought him joy!
He did things a kid likes,
Such as taking hikes.
This created a love for nature inside!
Also, in memory he muses now,
About how he rode a cow.
It sure was a bumpy ride!
He didn’t desire expensive things,
Like gold, silver, and diamond rings.
Life was a fishing pole, hook, line, and sinker!
On balmy Summer days,
Into the skies he would gaze.
This young man was a serious thinker.
He did his share of work.
His duties he did not shirk.
While gazing into the wild blue yonder,
Many questions he would ponder.
The answers he endeavored to find.
As on this earth he trod,
The young man acquired a love for God,
And he longed to help his fellow man.
Yet, for a time he strayed.
But, later in life He prayed,
"Oh God, I want to live according to Your plan!"
And an old man gazes into the sky.
As the lad did so long ago.
I see the young man in my mind,
And I’m not surprised to find,
I’m that someone I used to know!
THE BAREFOOT BOY
At times I think I'd like to have,
The energy of a kid,
And then I remember, I once did!
My that seems like a long time ago!
I'm in my sixties now, you know!
Was that barefoot boy really me,
A flyin' high and runnin' free?
He loved to be barefoot,
And feel mud squish between his toes!
It was a special pleasure,
Only a young child knows!
Some of his evenings were spent,
Catching lightning bugs in a jar!
Others were spent going to church,
In the family car!
He loved learning about the Bible,
By lantern light,
In an old store building each Sunday night!
"Andy over" back then was a favorite game,
He would play with his cousins,
When they came!
It was even fun for him to sneak
And go swimming with his cousins,
In Johnson creek!
Happiness was always at its peak,
When he went to see his grandparents,
For a week!
To him Grandma Stitt was a real joy!
She sure knew how to treat the barefoot boy!
He loved school and "spelling bees!'
Girls back then were fun to tease!
He enjoyed the delightful taste,
Of the first snow cream,
And fresh fruit at Christmas,
Was a young boy's dream!
The simple things in life he learned to enjoy!
Whatever happened to the barefoot boy?
Robert F. Dotson © 2006
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