Seeing it on the country store shelf reminds me of Dad,
'Horehound candy', a name
snickered at when I got older,
the flavor not really to
my liking,
a root beer licorice
cough drop taste, but still, it was candy,
and what kid would turn
down candy.
Dad would always buy one
stick, snap it in two, hand me
my half and say,
"too much sugar'll spoil supper,
plus a penny a piece is
ridiculous."
I don't remember the
first or last time he bought me a stick,
I just remember he always
did,
a sort of father son
rite of passage
when horehound was on
the shelf.
So, I ask for one of the
candies, pay the ridiculous price
of a quarter and put
half the stick in my mouth.
It tastes just like it did
back then, but I don't remember
it ever causing a
tear to fall from my eye.
Carl "Papa" Palmer
of University Place, WA is retired military, retired FAA, now just
plain retired without wristwatch, cell phone, alarm clock or Facebook
friend. Carl is a Hospice volunteer and president of The Tacoma
Writers Club.
MOTTO: Long Weekends Forever
Gosh That takes me back. My Dad and I used to do the same thing with Liquorice sticks. Thanks for bringing back that memory.
ReplyDeleteLicorice, yes. Remember when it came only in black? We'd play like we were chewing tobacco to gross out adults. I think Germany has the best.
Deletewhat a lovely heartfelt write
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jack, writing of memory moments becomes my memoir
DeleteDear Carl,
ReplyDeleteI love this poem, your description is so vivid and the last line is simply excellent.
Best wishes,
Inge
Thank you, Inge, amazing how a song, phrase or taste will send us back in time, isn't it?
DeleteHi Carl. A lovely poem you have shared with us. That last stanza is powerful and ignited my eyes to moisturize. Great memories often do that. Continued blessings, my friend!
ReplyDelete-MJ
(www.creativeinspirationspp.blogspot.com)
Extremely good Papa Carl, I never liked the taste of Horehound. Thus, I laugh about its name, but this gives me food for thought.
ReplyDeleteKnight Writer
I loved your poem - so full of truths. The ending touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteCaryl
I enjoyed your poem. I have not thought about Horehound for fifty years. When I was a little boy a friend of our made it herself and used it as a cough drop. She would give us some to taste. Love your last line.
ReplyDeleteI really loved your well written and poignant poem Carl, It brought back so many memories of my own dear daddy that dearly loved to give his children treats and the tear it brought to my eye at that remembrance. Thank you for sharing your talent.
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Charlene