"She lived beside the railroad track Where the train came through each day. When it killed her favorite rooster, She demanded that they pay." "They told her she could ride for free Until they had paid their debt; For forty years, she rode that train, And I'd say their paying yet!" "You ran over my… Continue reading Roosters
Author: Moleta McCarter
Springtime In the Smokies
The beauty of the springtime Is so lovely to behold, But springtime in the Smokies Has a beauty yet untold. The tiny leaves start peeping From beneath the mountain soil, And stretch their arms up slowly To engulf the sun so full. Flowers start appearing In a very bright array, And make a lovely Carpet… Continue reading Springtime In the Smokies
Under the Table
Mom had a cherry dinette set And the table was drop-leaved. I spent hours with my sister there, Hiding to play make-believe. Under the table, no one could see What we colored or know what we dreamed; Or that all those hours under there We weren't as good as we seemed. Under the table, mom… Continue reading Under the Table
The Old Mill
The rumble of the millstone| Shakes the floor as I step in, And the smell of meal and flour Dusts the air that I breathe in. This Old Mill brought folks together And still stands in my hometown; Oftentimes, my Grandpa came Just to have his harvest ground. The old miller stood there working In… Continue reading The Old Mill
The Well
We walked to the well, a ways from our house For sweet water to drink with our meals. The buckets were heavy, so we'd take a rest As we struggled back home down the hill. Sometimes in the summer, we'd splash until wet, How refreshing that cold water felt! But then we'd be sorry, cause… Continue reading The Well
Traffic
Pigeon Forge was just a lazy town When my Daddy was a lad; A dirt road led to Gatlinburg And traffic was never bad. Daddy never could quite figure Why folks flocked to his hometown, Just to sit for hours in traffic From sunup until sundown. He'd shake his head in wonderment, Saying he'd just… Continue reading Traffic
Turpentine
"A dose will cure you," Dad would say, And we'd think, "Cure or kill?' He dosed us up with turpentine; He thought that it would heal. "But I'm not sick!" we all would whine, We'd plead and beg and cry. "I know you ain't!" he answered back; "This here's the reason why!" A drop in… Continue reading Turpentine
First Day of School
Momma helped me put my dress on. The one that I had saved to buy. She slowly brushed and fixed my hair. Prolonging our good-bye. It seemed so dark to leave our house, Than Momma took my hand. "You have to go to school, sweetheart; I hope you understand." She hugged me tight, then quickly… Continue reading First Day of School
Bluff Mountain
"What's that mountain called?" they ask As it stands stark against the sky. Glancing towards the smaller peak, "It's called Bluff Mountain," I reply. As larger ridges arrest their gaze, Bluff Mountain retains my own. A precious memory captures my heart, When Daddy took me there alone. Then I was just a little girl Traipsing… Continue reading Bluff Mountain
A Poor Child’s Treasures
Everywhere our eyes would look, There were treasures to be found: A tricycle, a bicycle And toys just sitting around. A baby doll carriage just for me, A stove and refrigerator, Bright ribbons we could tie in bows And fix our hair with later. We made the longest chain we could From coke can tabs… Continue reading A Poor Child’s Treasures