Poetry, Dancing for pennies
Oh how the little girls loved to dance for pennies in an old honky-tonk dive
The nickeloden blaring, playing the Bee Gees, ' Stayin' alive
Mother took them there nightly to gather pennies thrown at their little feet
They both were gifted with a rhythmatical beat
The patrons gathered ' round just to watch their little feet take flight
Tap-dancing, boogie, disco they danced for pennies til the wee hours of morning light
The more pennies thrown, the faster their little feet seemed to shine
Sometimes if they were lucky, the old man might toss them a nickel or dime
Sometimes their little feet were blistered and sore, but,
No one seemed to care enough to say, " Rest now, you need not dance anymore "
One dark night mother went to the old honky-tonk, leaving them home alone
The big, tall policeman and daddy came and took them to his girlfriends home
The little girls were unhappy, missing their mother, so they ran away and started to aimlessly roam
Mother quickly came looking and somehow got them back
Just a memory in my subconscious, kept neatly rolled up in my little girl backpack.
Comments
AUTHORHello drbj. Yes it did provide a catharsis and I always knew my mother loved us. She was just finding her way after years in an unhappy marriage. Thank you for coming to read and comment. This piece was read by many who didn't comment. Hugs my dear friend.
I came across these bittersweet memories, Ruby, recently and I cannot help but wonder. Did writing this poetic prose provide a catharsis for you? If it didn't, it should since you can be thankful for being returned to your mother who loved you and your sister so. Bless you, m'dear.
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Hello Harish. You have the ability to look deeply into a piece of poetry. Your comment is deeply appreciated. Thank you..
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Hello Audrey. How sweet that your parents took you to sing for the residents in a home. Glad you came back to tell me. Thank you so much...Hugs..
Ruby, what a touching poem about such tiny cute tots, stretching their soft muscles too hard for pennies !
The line " Rest now, you need not dance any more " is so apt to indicate apathy shown by the society toward such miserable existence of human beings. Don't these buds need all care and comfort to blossom into flowers ?
Great poem and so vivid a description , and thought provoking stuff. Voted up and shared.
Hi Ruby
I treated myself to a second look at your poem. Parts of it reminded me of the days my mother would take my sister and I to "old people's" homes where we would sing for them.
Thank you Ruby for sharing your gift of poetry. You are amazing! Wishing you a joyous day.
Hugs,
Audrey
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Hello Kevin. Glad you liked the video. Thank's for sharing and pinning...
That sounded mostly cute with the two little girls - until they ran away. Luckily the mother got them back with no problem. The video was entertaining and funny. I voted up, shared and pinned it.
Kevin
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Hello Martie. I feel your hugs. Thank you. I agree with your words about parents not realizing the damage done to a child. I'm afraid I'm guilty too. If we could just see deep enough, but at the time our troubles were considered top priority, never thinking it would hurt a child, and you are right, it's in our psyche, never to be forgotten. Thank you for being my dear friend...
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Hello Vellur. Thank you for a beautiful comment. Sometimes it's good to share memories. Cheers ...
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Hello Mary. Your comment blew me away. Thank you. You said that you were blessed to have me as a friend, believe me I feel blessed to have you as well. What a wonderful community we have here, the support is amazing..Cheers my friend..
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Hello Genna. So many years ago but still tucked away in my backpack. I believe you are correct about the winter cold and our muse's. I seem to get melancholy after the summer. I have other memories of my childhood, some very happy, others not so good. Thank you for being my dear friend..Hugs
Dear Ruby, I must have been away when you posted this heart-touching poem. I am sad and speechless... trying to comprehend a little girl named Ruby dancing for pennies and torn between her daddy and mommy. If all parents can but only realize that everything they do, and even fail to do, becomes everlasting memories in the minds of their children. I am sending you tons of hugs :)
Memories of the past beautifully written with twinge of painful past. Thank you for sharing, your memories.
Rarely am I speechless but I find myself that way now. You are certainly a beacon to all. This poem is lovely with its tinge of melancholy.
You've shared a moment in time that is simply amazing. A moment in time that shows us what a wonderful lady you've become through all the memories in your backpack. It couldn't have been easy but you've made it seem that way. We are blessed to have you. God bless you.
Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting.
Hi Ruby…
I’m sorry I’m late in commenting on this treasure from your backpack. (What a great word to describe the memory and source of inspiration.) I only hope you share more of these. It is getting colder outside…and sometimes our muse will prod us to write about things we didn’t anticipate, yet can’t resist putting the words on paper. Hugs, my friend. Voted way up and shared, dear Ruby.
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Manatita, I do love to have fun, and I love to laugh. You can either be happy or sad. I choose to be glad...Thank you my poet friend...
Loving poem. You seem to love fun! Great! Always remain happy. Tease yourself, laugh, smile ...
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Thank you btrbell. I'm glad you found this interesting. Happy to share!
Beautiful, interesting, cubes yo an image if those little girls. A sweet yet somewhat sorrowful image. Thank you for sharing this!
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Shan, thank you
DDE, thank you
Rasma, thank you
Movie Master, thank you
I appreciate you all so much...Cheers
Hi Ruby, your poetry is as fragile and delicate as a whisper - beautiful!
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Hello Mike, them old potholes are still in good repair, just an old memory mentioned by my sis Mary, it began to bug me so I did what I do, wrote a poem. Happy you felt the emotion. Always good to see you....
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Hello Shyron, Thank's for telling me you loved it, so glad you enjoyed the video. I lol it was so cute, the fat girls stealing the men from the slim girls and shaking their booty. ha..Thank you...
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Hello Frank, I'm happy you enjoyed this piece and the video. I thought the video was hilarious and made me want to dance. Thank you...
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Hello Mar, you can make me smile so easily with your loving words. That little girl moved forward and never looked back. My sis Mary knew about the event and she brought the subject up and of course it started bugging me, so writing is, and has always been my outlet when memories bug me. From your remark, I think you liked the video, I loved it. Thank you dear one..Hugs.
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Hello Ann, super poetry is a wonderful comment. Thank you so much..
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Hello Susan, so happy you are pinning this. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you..
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Hello DDE, you always have upbeat, positive comments, Thank you much..
Enjoyed this and memories are always precious. Great music.
I enjoy dancing and always start up the fun in any event. Memories are just what makes all so real. You have expressed this so greatly in your wonderful words.
Ruby, what an endearing, yet bittersweet poem. Thanks for sharing with us.
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Hello Graham. Happy you enjoyed. Thank you for coming by...
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Hello Jodah. I love to dance. I think of myself as being strong. I won't give up without trying my best. We don't always have a winning hand, so we keep on trying until we do. I don't want anyone to think badly about my mother, she was good to me, she just made some bad choices. Thank you for a thoughtful comment...
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Hello Theresa. Putting words/thoughts on paper is a good way to put it away. I was told by a good friend that her phychiatrist told her to write down whatever was bothering her, then either burn it or share it. Thank you for an understanding comment, and thank you for sharing.....Hugs and blessings...
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Hello Paula, It's funny how my muse nudges me to remember the dark events, especially in the winter months, I guess it could be labeled seasonal depression. I am fine today. Your sweet comment is beautiful! Thank you so much..
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Hello DJ., Your comment really touches me. Thank you so much. I guess you could say that I'm a survivor. My mother was good to me, even though she made some bad choices when she was young. I don't think she'd ever been to a dance until she left my father. The sad part is she always loved him, she married twice after divorcing him but they didn't last either. We made our peace later in her life. I loved her very much. Thank you so much...
Hello Ruby. What a beautiful poem about this fragile memory. You certainly hit the emotional cords with this piece.
Ruby, I love it and I am glad their mom got them back. I wanted to dance watching the video how awesome.
Thank you for this.
what a wonderful share.. and that hairspray video was a treat i never saw the movie.. but that clip was fitting LOL great job
Dear Ruby,
How you have grown and thrived from that little girl...'you can't stop the beat' is a perfect mantra for how you live your beautiful life.
This glimpse into your past makes me love you even more as the woman and friend you are today. You cannot help but spread hope and inspiration, no matter the subject...beautiful work!
Hey, has anyone seen my Hairspray (LOL)! Love you and hugs, mar
This is great! Charming story and the ending was a lovely surprise.
Super poetry.
Ann
Ruby this is such a great poem. I'm pinning this one to my poetry board on Pinterest. So happy your muse is back!
Writing brings out another you once the experiences are shared. You have opened up and that is a good thing for you.
Hi Ruby. Very interesting and different. I enjoyed it.
Graham.
Sometimes our long hidden and even painful memories are released as great writing Ruby. This is one of those occasions. It is a sad tale, but it probably taught you something or made you stronger...I bet you are a great dancer. Voted up.
Oh, this is so precious the manner in which you have written this poem. I think it is truly a beautiful thing to share our memories when they surface and you have shared your memories of dancing for pennies in a most memorable and creative manner.
Up ++++ tweeting, pinning, G+ and sharing
Hugs and blessings
Ruby.....Your muse is wise. She knows when to play that old movie that's been hiding in the shady corners of your mind for decades....just in time to take your hand and walk with you through the motions....Your muse is gentle with your emotions and is oh so careful to help you remember in a way that will not frighten you again.....but help you to see the beautiful woman you've become.........This is exquisite, Ruby...UP++++ Peace, Paula
Oh, Ruby, these words are written with tears and a twinge of blood to
make the ink pink. My heart aches for that little girl dancing for the pennies. I hope you have nurtured that little girl inside of you. She will always be there.
This poem took my breath away. But, I can tell, you are a survivor.
God bless you, Ruby and your sister, as well.
You did a great job, here.
DJ.
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Hello Gail. I think I know how you felt reading this, it was bittersweet for sure. I love your comment concerning the rhythmic dance. Thank you. Hugs..
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Hello Shauna. Sometimes it's good to open a door that's usually closed. The words, ' dancing for pennies ' came about when I was talking with my sister Mary who was older and knew about the event. After talking about it, I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I did what I usually do, put it on paper. Thank you so much..
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Hello Nadine. I have in the past written about some unhappy events in my life. I guess writing was a catalysis for removal. I'm sure this will do the same. Thank you for your kindness and understanding...
Hi Ruby,
Powerful. My emotions ran the gamut on this one--started sweet and fun, turned dark and scary and ended bittersweet, especially when I read in the comments that you really only saw you dad twice. The poetry is beautiful and rhythmic, just like a dance.
Voted up across the board except for funny.
Hugs,
Gail
Ruby, this is a glimpse into a part of your life I never knew. I'm so glad your mother came and took you back. I would have done the same thing.
Thank you for sharing these memories the way you did through poetry and I'm glad to have read your replies above. How sad for your mother and that you carried her hurt so deeply within you. You can release it now. xxx
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Hello Audry, always good to see you. Thank's for your constant encouragement for my poetry. Hugs Dear Audrey..
Memories such as these are priceless. Thanks Ruby for sharing both your memories of dance and your amazing talent. Hugs, Audrey
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Oh Leslie, so good to see you on hubpages. Bittersweet is a perfect choice for this memory. I think I told you that I never knew my father, my mother left him when I was two. I only saw him twice, one time that night and at his funeral when I was eight. He was killed when he was 49, cutting down a tree that hit him, he only lived nine hours. My mother always loved him but couldn't put up with his womanizing. She took me by my hand and went outside the hospital to cry behind some shurbbery. His girlfriend was at his bedside. Thank's for coming by. I appreciate you...
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Hello Jo. I guess I've got more memories stored away in my backpack. My mean old muse loves for me to dig deeply on a cold windy day, lordy I can't write without rhyming. Ha..Thank you so much...
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Hello Bill and thank you. Funny how old memories seem to come around when summer is over and the cold seeps in. True story I'm sorry to say, many moons ago but still vivid remembering that night...
Loved this bittersweet memory, Ruby. You got grit girl - this insight into your childhood proves it...
hugs gfxx
Ruby, those little feet must have been sore indeed. I hope you'll be opening up that old backpack again. Voted beautiful and interesting, couldn't seem to find delightful. :)
My best always.
Well I'm glad you opened up your backpack and shared with us. I love this, of course. Simple memories made special through the words of a gifted poet. Well done, Ruby, and Happy Monday to you.
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