I Was There

The 16th of August in ’41,
a memorable day,
some might say,
well, I do.

A new house:  $4,000
Gallon of gas:  12 cents
New car:  $850
Average yearly wage:  $1,750
And me:  minimal cost

No candles:  fire hazard
No gifts necessary:  I’ve got you
A slice of cake:  strawberry, please
Indulge an old man a story or two

Lovely sunrise this morning:  thank you
Hummingbird stopped by with kind greetings:  thank you
Cards in the mail:  thank you
Surrounded by love:  best of all

The 16th of August in ’41,
in the midst of a world at war,
in an unremarkable little Texas town,
born to everyday folks,
a memorable day,
some might say,
well, I do.
I was there.