When We Were Boys.

 

When I look back on my childhood.

The older I get it becomes more of a haze.

There were a few good times.

And happy memories they made.

 

No Internet or phone screens to hide behind.

Always playing outdoors come rain or shine.

Dropping off our school uniform and straight to the park.

The adults always knew where you are.

 

Just be back in time for tea would be the shout.

Then the world was yours as you go off and ramble about.

All the local kids gathered on a plain piece of grass.

Just relaxing and having fun there for hours would last.

 

Someone might have a football so a game will begin.

Up to twenty aside and all would be friends.

You play for hours looking like the game would never end.

Then to decide it, it had to be the next goal wins.

 

Other days you might go and clamber about the woods.

Climbing, running, building like all boys should.

Split into groups to build the best camp in town.

The race was on to collect every piece of good wood that could be found.

 

The effort we put in to make a quality nature des res.

It just had to be better than all the rest.

Parts of your camp would get stolen as you came under attack.

Then the battle was on as you went to get them back.

 

Sometimes a tree climbing competition would ensue.

It was amazing the higher you went the better the view.

As with all boys not much thought for safety was given before you climbed.

There would always be a loud thud and scream as someone fell and landed on their behind.

 

The inevitable injuries occur with the wild behaviour.

It didn't worry us a trip to the hospital was a pleasure.

A broken arm or leg was like a badge of pride.

The plaster was like a school register, all your friends could write whatever they wanted all up your side.

 

Then when the time came you would all go back for your tea.

Covered in mud, tired, hungry but very happy.

Until the next day when you would do it all over again.

Playing and getting into mischief with all your friends.

 

Just a small memory from the days of being young.

When you were allowed to be children and just have fun.

Free from the pressures that children have today.

And do what all children want to do, just play.

 

Tobani October (2024)