I stopped in Rochelle, IL, for lunch one day while on vacation and found a few things which reminded me of trips through Rochelle in the past. On this particular trip, I saw some reminders not only of these past excursions, but of some other memories as well.

Can one take a trip down Memory lane?

Does that illusory road really exit?

Why, yes.


It exists in certain places

where we have been.

Some structures still stand,

others are gone, either wiped away or shuttered.



At the south end of a busy street,

a filling station which once catered to Model T's

sits to direct tourists.


Up the street, George and Jane

point the way to a doctor's office

Ruh-roh!

I thought Elroy and Judy's doctor

would be in more modern digs.


The old theater still stands,

it grand marquee restored to its former glory.

Want to see A-Nut?

If only she didn't share the bill

with Godzilla vs. The Thing.


Once the glittering metal awnings

lied the street called State,

But now?

The starbursts are just metal skeletons

and forgotten wood.


They still sell Chevys

on the north side of town

and used cars

out of the old farmer's home.


Here and there are all the things

we remember from days gone by.

Yes Virginia, there is a Memory Lane.