With a voice like an angel she sang songs of old. None are forgotten. They live in my soul. The dawn will soon break! Another scene I must see! Show me my daddy with a babe on his knee.

He would rock them to sleep singing old silly songs. Putting in their names were others belonged. It's getting late! Let Christmas come nigh. Let me see now the tree, that reached up so high.

The home made fireplace set gainst the wall. No stockings could hang there lest it would fall. Ten long brown stockings filled with surprise. Hung down the stairway and caught our bright eyes.

So many presents but, we couldn't know; The sacrafice made to see young eyes aglow. We were so poor but somehow they gave, By scrimping all year, their pennies to save.

The sun's almost up. Let it wait for awhile? Let me look one more time at Momma's sweet smile. As she kissed all her babies a fond good-night. No lamps in our rooms. She was our light.

I feel the sun now; it shines on my face. I have been for the last time to my childhood place. I have been granted my wish to go home. Now I shall be content to never more roam.

Childhood is gone but memories will stay. Though all are grown and some gone away. I have been home to see them once more. In my dreams I have reached and touched memories shore.

By Carol Bouche' Ottlinger
02/13/05 © copyright 09/06/05