Blackberry Flats

Blackberry Flats

© 2017 Jeff Jackson

We were only kids at Blackberry Flats

With a whole lotta dogs

and a whole lotta cats

Danced like fairies in the springtime moon

Mama would call us to be home soon

We planned some wars

on the hardwood floors

Never had to lock the old screen door

We watched the cardinals come and go

We greeted neighbors with our shy hellos

Brother, say you remember

Sister, say that you’re near

We couldn’t wait ‘til December

What gifts we might get that year.

Time slid slow at Blackberry Flats

With buckets and blankets

and straw sun hats

Pluck the berries when it’s overcast

Dump the bad ones in the foot-tall grass

Sun shined soft through the old oak trees

We captured fireflies and bumble bees

We broke our arms and scuffed our knees

Learned to say ‘thank you” and say “please”

Sister, do you remember?

Brother, when you coming home?

Not ’til next November?

My Lord, how your kids have grown.

In her art room Mama

would paint her prayers

In his wood shed

Daddy built an oakwood chair

Then they’d sit and watch

as we climbed hay bales

Run circles ‘round the house

in tight-knit trails

It was the only house they ever bought

Clouds of clover lined the lot

Our sacred place and launching pad

It was the best home anyone ever had

Mama, I miss your sunshine

Daddy, I miss your love

I pray you’re sitting on the porch steps

In Blackberry Flats above