Memories of Black Creek

(Taken from a sermon by a former pastor)

"Now, honey, I saw those boys again

Playing out here in the back yard today.

You know how I've warned them many times

To go back in the field to play."

"Yes, dear, I know", my wife patiently answered

Though I thought I detected a grin;

"I was sure you were watching them from your office door

And would come out to talk to them."

"What more can I say that I've already said?

They certainly understand

And once that window is broken

OUR son will get punished as planned."

"Yes, dear, I know", came the same patient voice

With the same little trace of a grin,

"But perhaps if they heard it from actual experience

It would have more of an impression on them."

Now I knew what she meant

And I felt she was right

So the boys and I

Got together that night.

I took them back to my childhood

In a little old town called Black Creek

And I told them about the bay window

Us guys had been warned not to break.

And I told them all about my Dad

And how his very word was law

And when we broke those laws we knew

There was reason to be afraid of Pa.

Then one day it happened,

I'll never know how;

I saw that ball comin'

And i jumped for it but - POW!

There was a crash and a scream

And my mother was there

All us guys could do

Was just stand there and stare.

Fro across the field came the biggest man

I think we have ever seen

If a hole in the ground had opened up

I would gladly have fallen in.

Well the closer he came the bigger he looked

And the smaller we felt

With the wave of one hand he dismissed the boys

And began to unbuckle his belt

I moved a few steps closer to Ma

But she never moved an inch

Though I knew that with each crack of the belt

I could feel my dear mother flinch.

"Well, fellas", I said to my son and his pals

"There was more to it than you've already heard

We picked up the glass from each corner of the room

And for a new one my brothers and I shared a third.

So now, you guys, you've heard what can happen

And I really don't know what else to say

But if that window gets broken at the side of the house

I know some young boys who are going to pay."

I got up from the step and walked into the house

And met my dear wife who'd been standing close by;

With a pat on my shoulder she tenderly said,

"Well, at least no one can say you didn't really try."

"But, honey", she added, "you must also remember

That boys will be boys and can't resist a dare

So if by pure chance that window gets broken

Please remember Black Creek and the happy times there."