childhood

WHEN FLOWERS
WERE FREE

Pink and white Dogwood tree
Apple blossoms, bumble bee
Honeysuckle’s scent for thee
…and flowers were free

Sugar cookies, milk and tea
Red-haired sister Felicity
Reading books, a mystery
…and flowers were free

Roller-skating happily
Round my neck shoe-string with key
Fell, but mother kissed my knee
…and flowers were free

On summer nights we could see
Fireflies glow brightly
Kool-aid, popcorn, say rosary
…and flowers were free

St. Michael’s bells rang for me
I’d rise from bed quite sleepily
Walk to Mass, pick peony
…when flowers were free.