Time On Our Hands:  Book cover 1910

and how it relates to a poem I wrote in 1992

I bought this book over the weekend at an Estate sale.  It's called "Going Some" which makes no sense to me whatsoever.  But I love the cover.  The colors are brilliant for the age of the book and in fact the whole book is in pretty good condition for $1.00.

Here are some fun quotes from the book.  I think they are fun because of the way things are stated.  Just the old language used is amazing.

"And Stover went on his way to spread the tidings."


"Glass allowed his mouth to open in amazement.  The day was replete with surprises."


"'Listen, Pig! If you spik to her again, I will cut you.' The gaze of the Mexican pierced his victim. 'I will not keel you, I will just -- cut you!'"


"' Did you hear what I said?' demanded Willie, in a voice that sounded like the sawing of a meat bone."


"Willie paused, while Glass licked his lips and undertook to frame a reply."

I don't know why these little phrases capture my imagination but they do.  They are here in no particular order but just what I came across on a few pages.  The whole book is full of this colorful language.  Wish I could write like this.  And, you might ask, what does that picture have to do with any of this?  Well, so far I haven't the foggiest idea!

Throughout the book there are small drawings at the bottom of pages here and there.  They are so funny and so apt.  There are Indians, cowboys, gentlemen small and tall, even a few ladies.  One heavyset man appears bald and in a striped shirt over and over.  I am thinking he is Glass or maybe Mr. Speed, another character who appears often.
~~~~~~~~~

One time I wrote a poem for a friend and I guess that's what the cover picture reminded me of.  I'm going to post it here.  See if it brings this picture to mind for you.

STRINGS

Dreaming of fairies

and brownies and things,

Winding through childhood

our lives were like strings.

We tangled our life lines

in jumbles and knots,

Blending and weaving

our fantastical plots.

Carefree, exuberant,

joyful and free;

Around every corner

was something to see.

As year passed to year

our strings were exchanged

For bright colored ribbons

as our lives rearranged.

We ran with our streamers

so shiny and slick.

They flew out behind us

our feet moving quick.

Soon they were banners

proclaiming our views.

We bore them so proudly

Parading in twos.

With childhood behind us

and dreams stored away,

We began making plans

for each passing day.

We slowly turned inward

to our lives and our homes.

We dropped all our banners

and our strings fell like stones.

Then after the kids left

the houses were silent.

The adventures less often.

The string was all spent.

In the midst of our settling

feeling sorry and old,

Were the memories of friends

and bright ribbons of gold.

As we reached for the strings

that once tied us in knots,

Hoping to capture

old dreams and brave plots,

We've discovered our lives

have just barely begun.

We are older and wiser

but twice as much fun.

The ribbons and strings?

We've passed them right by.

With silk gliders' wings

we fly through the sky.

We're soaring and swooping

and spreading our wings,

Once again dreaming 

of fairies and things.

September 1992