How Things Were

One day I saw an older man at the gas filling station

He sighed, shook his head, and said “I wish I could fix this generation.”

I said what do you mean?

He said “You wouldn’t listen to me.”

but after a small fight of who was wrong and who was right, we sat down.

He said “Look this use to be a great town.

When I first came here it seemed like the greatest place.”

He told me “Just imagine; dream with me.

Look now don’t you see?”

I closed my eyes and opened ‘em again

and I saw this town way back when.

I saw stores drawing people in, 

people talking to strangers like their kin

they were clothed in clothes of way before.

The old man saw my amazement and asked if I wanted to see some more.

When no words would come I nodded my head

and the images came through the words he said.

He explained and told to me 

a world I may now see.

I saw the opening of Groendyke,

people driving old cars and a kid riding his bike.

I went inside the old Five and Dime

and heard the great sound of that door bell chime.

I bought a candy bar and a soda pop

right inside the old Ben and Franklin shop.

The old man decided to give me the grand tour

when he found out I wasn’t going to begin to bore.

He showed me the old school on Lowe Street

and the special place where all his friends and him would meet.

We then went down to the James river bed

where he claims he use to keep all the fish fed.

We walked across the swinging bridge to the other side,

placed our pennies on the track, and stood aside.

That train blew it’s horn as it went past.

After we got our money we stopped by Hilltop hoping this day would forever last.

We got our favorite ice-cream

but sat inside because that hot sun was making us steam.

He pointed with his cane

as he told me that he use to work at the old clothing store on Main.

I learned he met his wife at that store.

Then he turned, smiled, and said to me “There’s not much more.

Just a man sitting at a gas station getting old.

That’s all you’ve really been told.”

He shook his head and began to stand,

But I said “Wait this is a really good place. People just don’t understand.

If they would only take a moment to look up not down

they would see that it really is a great town.

If they could see this town like you and me

then maybe that’ll help them see what this town can one day be.

Because the past isn’t only good to know

but with it we can help the future grow.”

He smiled and tipped his hat 

and left the place where he had sat.

Then he said “Tell them, so they may know.

With our past help our future grow.”