I miss shuffling through

a red golden hue

of leaves the size of my hand.

Soft boiled eggs, mumblety- peg,

eating peaches straight out of the can.

The sound of galoshes

slushing through sloshes,

footprints on new fallen snow.

Santa and reindeer,

hot chocolate and root-beer

and presents wrapped up with a bow.

I miss slot cars and Slinkys,

toy soldiers and Twinkies

and running wherever I went.

I miss buttercups, clover

and playing Red Rover,

and rain on the roof of a tent.

I miss cool summer cottages

pancakes and sausages

and kites with their tails in the wind.

Garbage dump bears

and parking lot fairs,

cotton candy stuck to my chin.

I miss chestnuts on strings,

Cracker Jack rings,

marbles and balsa wood planes.

Teddy bear cuddles,

splashing in puddles

and dancing around in the rain.