Hereafter ...

when I die

cobble together a brass band

one of each 

trumpet, saxophone, trombone

flute, clarinet, bass drum

lead my loved ones .. onlookers too

 through the streets of my home town
dance like there's no tomorrow 
raise your glasses
to life, to love, to us, to me

then scatter my ashes 

let me soar

Small Town USA

1946 ~ 1955

Grades one through eight

I wonder if teachers

Fathomed the impression  

They made on our young lives

Those rag-tag kids from Caseyville

Could they see

Standing at the blackboard 
Chalk in hand 
They were sowing seeds

Introducing concepts, challenging

Those rag-tag kids from Caseyville

Doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers, barbers

Writers, researchers, teachers, nurses

Students who grew up proud and strong

Today they call us "The Silent Generation"   

Those rag-tag kids from Caseyville   

Thank you: Mrs. Diehl, Miss Koblitz, Miss Kampmeyer, Miss Entrekin,

Mrs, Shifferdecker, Mr. Kimmel, Miss Wortman, Mr.Beguelin.

I remember you, I truly do. ** Must not forget Sally Matter my flute teacher for ten years and Professor Kreider, my high school band director.

Caseyville "Small-town Land"

morning walk to our grocery store

list clutched in my hand

Mother knows I’m safe and sound

In 'Caseyville Small-Town Land'

summer's here it sure is hot

morning is our time to shop

list is short, our budget's tight

bread and apples, milk and cheese

a nickel to spare? Oh Mercy Me!

I’ll have a Pepsi please

Child's Play

http://www.wallcoo.net/  

“I’m running away from home

 you can't stop me”

And so began my journey.
lucky for me
tracks ran right through our town

every day ... three freights ... one passenger

I counted 'em!

{ same tracks where my school chum
vernon higgins died ... he was only eight }

I think about him now
as i grab hold, jump aboard

no mean feat for a nine-year old
let me tell you

I have a plan
figure three weeks 

is plenty long enough

for them to come 

to their senses