Simple Pleasures

As I look upon the youth today-
The high tech toys and games they play,
My mind goes back to years ago;
A simpler time when the pace was slow.
No cell phones, video games, computers and such,
Yet, our childhood pleasures were enjoyed as much.

Jacks and marbles and pick-up-stix,
Helped to pass the time.
Bikes and wagons and scooters,
But not the motorized kind!

Those days had special highlights.
The pony-boy, the best by far-
For we'd get to pet the pony,
While waiting for our ice cream bar.

The rag man in his horse-drawn cart
Would usually draw a crowd.
We'd hear him yell, "Rags" from a block away.
His shout was always loud.
The foil saved from our chewing gum wrappers
And rolled to a very large ball
Was sold, by kids, to the rag man,
When he came to call.

We'd look for the coal man to come on his route
And watch the coal in the cellar, come down the shute.
The ice man would come to deliver the ice.
He'd chip at the block and give us a slice.
A welcome treat on a hot summer day!
We'd thank him as he drove away.

A circus parade was a joyous event!
On the way to the circus grounds and the "Big Tent,"
The clowns and the animals were quite a sensation
On their march through the streets, to their destination!

Yes, sometimes, I admit, I'll hear myself say,
"I wish there had been toys like this in MY day."
But still, all in all, I can surely attest
To the simple pleasures, that are really the best!