Childhood Memories

Poem by Spencer Riley Shepard

1st Place for College Poetry - 2019 Met Awards

Faded red changed to rust,
An empty spot where a seat once sat,
Tires cracked and dried out, unable to hold a breath.
Chains and gear petrified.

Only happy memories from this memorial of rust,
of a generation that played from sunrise to sunset,
of jumping off curbs in the neighborhood,
and the hum of streetlights flickering on.

Weeds knitting into spokes,
webs mingling with the frame,
dust clinging to all.
Rust fading red.

About the Writer

Spencer Riley Shepard is a Cerro Coso English major and Kern River Valley poet.