Ballad of a

Teenage Sharecropper

© 2001 by Calvin Harrell

 

I never did live in Poor Town.

However I did live my formative years in Como (about 20 miles north of Poor Town), and that definitely qualifies me for that type of "society."

I have many beautiful memories of growing up there and that includes being a "teenage sharecropper." Even though sharecropping cost me my first "romance," I still would not change a thing for the whole world.

There were ten of us. A papa, a mama and eight young'uns and we all shared and shared alike. Sometimes there might not have been an abundance of food, but always there was an overflowing amount of love and laughter.


BALLAD OF A TEENAGE SHARECROPPER

© 1995 Calvin Harrell

 Git up ol' hoss,
It's another pretty day.
Got to plow some furrows,
Through sand and clay.

Tomorrow it'll rain,
'Least I hope so.
Then off to school,
I can go.

There is a pretty Miss waiting,
By the school house door.
But impatient she is getting,
More and more.

She was moved "upstairs,"
And left me behind.
Heartbroken and lonely,
Nearly outta my mind.

For days and days,
It just won't rain.
And our "love affair"
Is showing the strain.

But I have to keep on plowing,
And getting further behind ~
Then one day,
She made up her mind.

"I love you darling,
"And I know you love me, too,
"But being a sharecropper,
"You just won't do!"


~~~

Then 47 years later, we met again at the "Grand Reunion of Ol' Murfreesboro High," which prompted the following poem:


REUNION

© 1997 Calvin Harrell
A happy crowd was there,
Grand excitement filled the air,
Lots of laughter and good cheer,
But now and then, a little bitty tear.

"Oh, you look so good."
"Well, so do you."
"It's been such a long time."
"So, what's new?"

Everyone is talking at once,
Everyone is talking loud.
Everyone is so excited,
Everyone is so proud.

"Oh, I remember you."
"You were one grade behind."
"We both had Miss Mary."
("She was sweet and kind.")

Some of our members
Are not here today.
An Unwanted Intruder
Took them away.

Then across a crowded school yard ~
There she is!
Eyes mist, memories flood.
Fingers touch,
Then a big hug!

And for a minute there,
We are teen-agers again ~
And speak of things:
That might have been ~

Then the spell is broken
And with a sigh (and a brave grin)
We go our separate ways ~
~ once again.

~~~
Old Murfreesboro High School

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