Age twelve in the swaddling heat

of a Delaware, County Sussex July

a lad looking for the pleasure

that summer of 1924, 'twas not found

Earl, his father Thomas, laborers

on a road work crew of men in need

at the home of Thomas and Martha

hunger's bite was a frequent visitor

wardrobes were tatered hand outs

at days end father and son

supped on hardtack, biscuits, water

slept upon the work site's earth

mosquito and chigger bait for the nights

modern transport they had not

walking their transport of necessity

too far the daily commute from work

to home and rudimentary comforts

into my father's very last years

details of that labor he recalled

a lad of twelve toiling with his father

providing sustenance  for their family

childhood pleasures were few,seldom

the work ethic learned would remain

throughout his ninety five years

business, civic and charitable efforts

most of what he knew, what he was

a lad of twelve seldom escapes memories

of rigors, values lerned in early life