21 Comments
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Jenise Cook's avatar

Although I was born and raised on the Left Coast, you've described our subdivision so well.

~~~~~

"Where I’m from

you knew your neighbors

parents said, “go outside and play.”

children played until the street lights came on

the signal to come home"

~~~~~

Same experience. Grateful we were "free-range kids". I miss those days.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Jenise. The world has sure changed since our childhood days. So has parenting. I am glad I raised my children before the digital age really kicked in.

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Janice's avatar

Saw those times in my mind. Well written, perfectly described.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Janice. It is fun to reminisce. 🤓

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Bill Adler's avatar

Where I'm From is beautiful, a masterpiece.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thank you, Bill. I appreciate it. 🤓

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V. C. Ackerman's avatar

It would be nice if time just stopped. Or if we could go back. Memories are nice, but to live it again would be nicer.

This was a beautiful poem. You and your brother were very cute as children.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, V.C. Is that the dream? To be able to live it all again and fix the mistakes!

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John K Adams's avatar

Beautiful depiction of innocence, and trust and happiness.

Funny, how time slips away.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, John. So true.

It seems like yesterday, and forever ago.

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Scott Ocamb's avatar

Great Job. The pictures really add to your poem. Things I remember from your poem. Blue Angles, Go outside and play until the signal to come home, "you did things you shouldn’t have and some you should".

Thanks for a good read to begin my day.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks, Scott. Those were different times, for sure.

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Adrian P Conway's avatar

Not sure the world is where it’s from anymore, Mark! Enjoyed.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

True. It always changes. Thanks Adrian.

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Kathy K's avatar

You're bringing back memories for me, the entire 'feeling' of when we grew up was of innocence, trust, community. Times have changed drastically but maybe it's different only because I'm growing older.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

I wonder if kids grow up too fast these days. They are exposes to so much by the internet and media. I think I was a kid during a “golden period” to be a kid.

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Jack Herlocker's avatar

Well timed, Mark! Just got back from a trip “back home” (northern Chicago burbs) for our 50th grade school reunion, and there were a lot of “can you believe we ever...?” discussions. 😁 But a lot of fond memories, also. 😊

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Mark Starlin's avatar

It is like that whenever I go home. My parents still live in the same house. They are the last ones on the block from those days.

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Cyn Taylor's avatar

Wow. Way to start my day off with tears. But so relevant, and true!! Are you sure we weren't neighbors?

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Thanks Cyn. Neighbors from different towns. 😉🙂

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Sep 15, 2022
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Mark Starlin's avatar

My town (Ypsilanti, Michigan) wasn’t exactly a small town, but it was a smaller world back then. Thanks JD.

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