Dirt Clod Wars
Do you remember – back before technology? Our childhoods were different than those of the kids today. We didn’t have cell phones, computers, iPads and limitless TV shows to entertain us. All we had was ourselves, nature and never-ending imagination. Our world seemed vast at the time, but was only as large as our feet and bikes could travel. Sometimes our childhood happiness and best memories were centered on our very first friends – our cousins. In my case my cousins now are scattered by time and distance, but that was not the case in the days of old and the “Dirt Clod Wars”. Worthy childhood memories can be made almost anywhere. Mine happened to be made at the end of a remote, dusty white rock road in Western Kansas.
“Dirt Clod Wars”
Long turned to dust, tree house no more,
Childhood memories linger for me to adore.
Army helmets on our heads for Lynn and I,
As Rod and Dane let the dirt clods fly.
Safe from evil foes, in the tree house we were,
As dirt clods flew by our heads at a freighting blur.
The dirt clod war raged on under the hot Kansas sun,
Summer day in, summer day out the battle never won.
Full of ammo, was Grandpa field to the east,
Never ending clods for Rod and Dane to release.
Protected behind planks of wood up so high,
Dirt clods exploded, or simply flew on by.
Laughter, fake dirty looks and a curse word or two,
On those Kansas summer days when the sky was blue.
Tree house now gone from that distant Kansas prairie,
Nothing left, no wood, or dust in the wind to carry.
Memories of childhood battles, the laughter is – never gone,
In my field of dreams, dirt clod wars carry on.
By Kurt James
Kurt James © 2017
Kurt James novel “Rocky Mountain Ghost” available on July 1st, 2017
All Kurt James novels can be found on Amazon and other fine bookstores -and a few shady ones as well.
The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, all well-known Denver, Colorado media sources, have highlighted the powerful and evocative work of poet and novelist Kurt James. Focusing on Old West history, Kurt contributes feature articles to HubPages and Creative Exiles, exploring the eerie silence of ghost towns, the thrilling tales of outlaws and gunfighters, and the evocative imagery found in the Rocky Mountains.
Kurt’s early admiration for writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand played a significant role in honing his skills as a storyteller. Twenty-one books (and counting!) transport readers to the Colorado Rockies and the Old West through Kurt’s vivid descriptions; the feel of rough-hewn cabins, the sounds of coyotes howling under starry skies, and the smells of campfire smoke and sagebrush are all palpable.
Find Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry—published by Midnight Wind Publishing—in print copies or digital downloads at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other excellent bookstores; explore the diverse range of formats available.
Currently in production - The 10th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Lee Moomaw Former Lawman.
Kurt is a proud member of the Western Writers of America, a group that values storytelling.
- Riding the Timberline - May 26, 2025
- Digging up Dreams - September 16, 2024
- As the Years Roll By - November 15, 2023
Oh, how I can relate to this, Kurt. My best friends were also my cousins and we had almost total freedom as far as we could ride or walk. I once lived next to a rainforest and we spent almost our entire day’s exploring and role playing adventures there. Great memories. Well done.
A rainforest? How awesome is that!! Just like I wrote the best memories can be made anywhere. When you say total freedom I can also relate to that – I have always wondered my friend if the world was safer back then or our parents were more naïve….
Oh, how I love this, Kurt. Reminds me of the rotten apple fights we had in our suburban hood in Tacoma, Washington. Great work on the intro and poem. Well done.
Rotten apple wars? Got to love that.. not many apple trees from where I am from except crap apple trees. We were known to throw those around also….lol… Thanks for stopping by Phyllis
Yes – rotten apple wars. It was fun, but oh my gosh if you got hit by one it really stung.
In our dirt clod wars we had these old WW11 helmets and thankfully my cousin was not a very good dirt clod thrower because I do not recall every getting hit….
Wonderful memories of childhood, so cherished as we get older. Such a shame our kids won’t have those moments in memory, what with all the technology that hijacks the imagination. Nicely penned and poignant Kurt. Cheers!
It is a shame really Tony that the technology that is suppose to help us in our every day life, is sapping our children’s imagination. Thanks for stopping by.
That was my kind of childhood except, we all played sports too, and the dirt was more like bebe pellets. Still I had a great time hanging out with my friends all day, no cares no worries in the world. Today with social media, every little thing is terrifying, people being kidnapped, cars hitting people, its not like what it used to be. Good write Kurt.
Thanks Paul, for your childhood memories… glad I sparked a few.