The Bedroom of My Youth ~ arlene s bice
the wood floor was painted barn red
a bureau with a mirror stood
where the door opened into it
facing the double windows
showing the tree growing
my brother Albert planted
a chair with wooden arms
sat in front of the windows
my single bed lay along the wall
to the right
a huge black & white panda bear
occupied my bed all day
waiting for me to snuggle at night
a small closet, they were all small
in those days
opened next to the bed
the panda bear was outgrown
replaced by a collection of horses
ceramic mostly, in various poses
bought with babysitting money
young movie star pictures
James Dean, Sal Mineo,
Tony Curtis, Robert Wagner
taped on the wallpaper
the summer I was 12
my mother took in a 5 year old boy
to earn money, times were tough
he moved into my room
i moved in with Mom
i lasted 2 months
i fussed & fumed
wanted my own room
needed my own room
got my own room back
whew! i had growing up to do.
