"South Memphis Memories"

James R. (Dick) Clayton
June 28, 2005

I remember those days from long, long ago,
But it only seems like a few years or so.
A time much more gentle on the heart and soul,
Then these days where it seems we’ve lost all control.
I remember the summers of baseballs and bats,
The girls playing hopscotch and wearing mom’s hats.
Taking a dip down in Nonconna creek,
And riding our bikes down bumpy old streets,

I remember those days at Riverside park,
When a bunch of us boys would fish til near dark.
We’d catch us some crickets and dig up some worms,
Then we’d bait up our hooks and watch how they squirmed.
I remember how quickly our summers would end,
When fun days were over and school would begin.
Back to the books was the call of the day,
And summer’s blue skies soon turned winter grey.

I remember the halls of old A.B. Hill,
And my mem’ries of Longview linger on still.
But nothing compares to the ‘Maroon and Gold”,
As my mem’ries of South Side ever unfold.
I remember the pride when our teams took the field,
The fight in our Scrappers was fierce and surreal.
Playing to win, there was no other way;
Their spirit lives on in legend today.

I remember the girls, all rare Dixie queens,
How when Elvis appeared, they giggled and screemed.
Those neighborhood parties and girls I so miss,
Where we spun a coke bottle just for a kiss.
I remember the sock hops and Friday night dates,
At Leonard’s on game nights and getting home late.
Teachers I had that were oft my nightmares,
I realize now they really did care.

I can never go back, but one thing I know,
I will never forget those mem’ries of old;
Of playmates and classmates throughout all those years,
And our times spent together, ever so dear.
What a blessing it was to grow up in that place,
Where mem’ries of childhood bring smiles to my face.
God surely smiled ev’ry day from the start;
Knowing South Memphis would capture my heart.

Now so many are gone and are sorely missed,
But their mem’ry lives on as I reminisce.
Someday up in Heaven those Scrappers I’ll see,
Where we’ll once again share our fond memories.
Ev’ry day that now passes from winter thru fall,
Those days in South Memphis, and friends I recall,
Stay on my mind with my heart longing so,
For one more day there so long, long ago.