We used to hear them,
giggles in the distance,
running behind bushes,
hiding against stucco.
Houses on the block, vacant?
Not devoid of humans,
but maybe lacking
excitement to frolic
beneath sun’s rays,
sing with the robins,
gaze at
acrobatic squirrels
in the tall oaks.
Perhaps, sneaky screens
stole that amusement,
those precious,
memory-making moments
spent outdoors.
Lauren Scott (c)
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 
Thank you, Lauren, for such a delightful poem!
Joanna
I’m glad you liked this poem, Joanna. Thank you! ❤️
Good poem!
Thanks so much!
You are welcome
Those screens have definitely stolen many good moments. We are fortunate to have memoriea of such giggles.
Beautiful poem, my dearest friend.
Yes, at least we have those wonderful memories, Marina. Thanks for your beautiful words, always. Have a good weekend too! ❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰
.❤⚘❤⚘❤⚘❤☀️❤
You are so right Lauren where have all the laughter disappeared. Our young days was so different. Such a lovely poem
Thanks for your wonderful comment, Kamal. Things have definitely changed for our youth, but it’s good to have those memories. ❤️
Yes those beautiful memories will never fade. You are always welcome Lauren 💖
I think it was those sneaky screens. Well done Lauren
They are sneaky, aren’t they? As we both stare at our screens. 🙂 Thanks, John!
Ha ha ha. Yes indeed.
HI Lauren, it isn’t just the screens that have changed life for our kids. It is also so much traffic and higher levels of crime. Parents prefer to keep their kids closer to home than have them roaming about. It’s very different from our young days.
Hi Robbie, you make a good point. Traffic and crime have increased to impact our youth. I wrote this poem with our quiet street in mind, reminiscent of listening to those delightful giggles from children playing tag and hide and seek two decades ago. So, I’m sure screens are to blame at some degree. Things have definitely changed for our youth and it’s sad regardless of the reason. It’s good to play outdoors and get exercise. 💞
I agree, Lauren, children do need to do natural things.
I remember roaming the streets by myself or with my siblings. My husband roamed in the woods with his siblings in Australia. Such precious memories. We can’t do that these days. I’m glad my daughter in Portland has good neighbors and le the kids get together, just not to let them run on the street. Lovey poem, Lauren. ❤
It’s good to have those wonderful memories, Miriam. Things have definitely changed for the younger generations. Our son was here this past week and we had a great visit. He’s leaving today, but he’ll be back in August for a friends wedding, so that will console me when I hug him goodbye today. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for your kind words. 💕
There are still ‘Giggles’ to be heard…. We just need to learn where to listen… 😉
Sadly many now stay indoors, and their heads are in their iPhone’s.. Nature to many seems foreign.. as they don’t seem to want to watch acrobatic squirrels or sing with robins.. Only zap and exterminate the game players..
Great poem Lauren… ❤ Enjoy your weekend ❤
True about learning where to listen, Sue, and that’s what I mean, indoors, plugged in, tuned out to nature. It’s such a different world. Something else I hope is that children still read books these days in between and among all the screen time. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for your kind words as always. Love and hugs! 💕💕
Lets hope Books never get banned for screen time.. 🙏
The price we have to pay for modernization! Well-captured Lauren. If the device time is restricted, we still can hear them playing natural games in the backyard and some front yards are safe.
Exactly, Balroop! And like Sue said, we just have to learn when to listen for those precious giggles. Thanks for your thoughts and kind words. Enjoy your weekend. 💞
The giggles were always present in our growing up years because it had not yet been revealed to us struggles our parents had to go through to ensure we had freedom to grow unhindered and enjoy life without those struggles personally. The compensation our parents received for this was to enjoy watching us in our innocence.
I’m sorry to hear your parents endured struggles while you were little, but it sounds like they were loving and wanted only for you to be happy. I’m glad the giggles were present for you to have wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing, Ian.
A delightful poem, Lauren. May we all have more giggles, just as we did when we were little. ❤ Much love flowing to you both. ❤ I have posted a review for your wonderful book 'More Than Coffee'. It is not showing yet, but hopefully will soon as it is a verified purchase. I am just so sorry it has taken so long! More hugs to you. ❤ xXx
Thanks, Jane, and I agree, let’s keep those giggles close by, along with the great memories. And thank you SO much for posting a review, I truly appreciate you taking the time and will watch for it to appear. I hope you enjoyed my memories. 🙂 Much love and many hugs to you and Time, too. ❤️❤️❤️
My lovely, I loved the whole book. It’s so much more than a memoir. The review is live on Amazon UK. It went up this afternoon (our time). Tim and I send hugs and much love to you and Matt. Xxxx ❤️😘❤️
Oh, thanks, Jane! You really made my Monday! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. It was fun to work on and reminisce on that walk down memory lane. I’m on my way to Amazon and will share on my blog later this week. Big hugs from us to you both! ❤️🌻❤️🌻❤️🌻
Yay. ❤ xXx ❤ ❤
Loving it Lauren.
It’s full of life and happy moments / memories
Delight at the read of your lines
❤
Thanks so much, Marie! Your words brighten my Monday, and may those giggles continue to stay nearby. 🙂 ❤️
Outdoor play is almost a thing of the past now.
I think so, too, but hopefully, there are some children who enjoy the outdoor fun and show it with those delightful giggles.
Beautifully written 👏🏼
Thanks so much, Deeksha! 🥰