Pencil Box Cigar Box Joy in Elementary School
Pencil Box Cigar Box
Oh the joy of each new school year
When I was gifted with a cigar box
To use for my pencil box and gear,
To fill with pencils, erasers, rulers,
A compass and crayons for fun,
And round tipped scissors,
Round so I could not stab anyone.
All the things I would need in class.
Free cigar boxes in those days,
From the local grocery store.
Back then those were the ways,
There was no specialty store
For smokes, pipes and cigars,
The grocer sold it all and more.
He saved all cigar boxes for kids,
Cool boxes with pictures and lids.
I would organize my pencil box,
So perfectly and oh so neat,
Then take everything back out,
Stare at each new tool, so sweet,
And lay them all about
On my bedroom floor to admire
Each piece, especially my pencil box,
And wished I had locks.
Locks to put on my cherished box.
I could hardly wait for school to start,
So I would have my own desk,
Open the top and fill each part
Of my desk with all my supplies.
Proud of my thick pencil pad,
Tissues for my nose, and flocks
Of tools in my cigar pencil box.
Oh the joys of childhood,
When I could fill up my pencil box.
I wonder if I can get a free
Cigar box somewhere today?
~~~
© 2017 Phyllis Doyle Burns
I have always liked to write.It is important to me that writing comes from my heart and soul. When writing poetry, if I do not feel a spiritual connection to what I am writing on, I will discard it and go on to something I can connect with on a spiritual level. I live in the moment, I write from the past or beyond the veil. When writing fiction I go with whatever inspires me at the moment - it could be funny, sorrowful, romantic or sometimes done with the use of colloquial language from mountain folk or other cultural regions.
I began writing content online in 2007, starting with BellaOnline - A Voice For Women, where I was the Native American Editor, Folklore & Mythology Editor, and the Appalachian Editor. I also wrote articles forThe Examiner, Daily Two Cents, and Yahoo. I am currently an author on HubPages.
Most of what I write takes a lot of research and I love it. Even if it is a fictional story, I will research for accuracy in whatever it takes to make my characters, their era, their location, etc. become realistic to the reader.
I hope you enjoy my works. Thank you for visiting.
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A lovely poem. Getting stationery for the new school term was so exciting for me. Colorful pencils look great and arranging them in the order of colors made me feel so happy. Those were the days!
Hi Nithya. Thank you very much. Yes, those were the days. Such a simple thing is a pencil box, but the joy it gives a child is memorable. I arranged mine by color also.
Such simple things in childhood brought joy and this is a lovely refrain, a glimpse of your childhood and the simple joys of a cigar box utilized for all your school treasures. delightful verse Phyllis.
Thank you so much, Tony. I found myself in a silly mood when looking for all my pencils and remembered the old cigar box, my treasures yes. I am so glad you enjoyed the poem. Thanks again, I so appreciate it.
Childhood memories are wonderful aren’t they Phyllis? It is amazing the seemingly unimportant things that stick in our impressionable minds. Enjoyable poem.
Yes they are wonderful, John. That pencil box was so special back then. Thanks for reading and commenting, John. I appreciate it.