Escanaba

Escanaba

by Bud Lemire on April 12th, 2001

Escanaba, Upper Michigan, the place where I grew into a man

It's the home city of my birth, where I started my life's plan

Looking back, memories of my past surface in my mind

Thoughts of all the good times, that I've left behind

Tobogganing down the hill, down at Ludington Park

Smelting with our fishing nets, at Wells in the dark

Fishing at Ford River, Bark River, Yacht Harbor, & Sand Island

Sidewalk Day on Ludington street, and the marching of our band

Watching all the parades, as they came along

Birthdays with the family, as they sang the Birthday song

All the great teachers, I had as time went by

Washington Elementary, Junior and Senior High

Going to Camp Harstad, I sure remember it well

Walking along the shore, searching for a seashell

Climbing up Horseshoe Hill in the trainyards, or just flying a kite

Swimming at the beach, or the boats lit up on Venetian Night

Catching frogs in the pond near our beach, was a lot of fun

I let one loose in Mom's bedroom, and his hopping days were done

Catching bumblebees, in the field near Junior High

Was some fun, for some childhood friends and I

Going on a bike ride, to Danforth and Soo Hill

And riding down the road, by the Paper Mill

August was the time, you'd find me at the U.P. State Fair

Bumper cars and games, and cotton candy I would share

A picnic at Pioneer Trail Park, was always lots of fun

Spitting watermelon seeds for distance, but I never won

Looking through the photos, of our early years

Our laughter, our hard times, brings back many tears

Remembering Mrs. Jensen, in the basement at the Carnegie Library

Placing many books in our hands, that we could hardly carry

The penny candy we picked out, at Hob Nob, placed in a paper sack

The Wilbees were the owners, whenever we had a sweet tooth attack

Visiting the Lake View cemetery, us children played among the dead

Sometimes we'd stop among the graves, and some tears were shed

Oh , Upper Michigan, how I love you so

In the Yooper Heaven, of your Winter's snow

Who could ever forget, a trip down Memory Lane

I know that I won't, for the memories still remain

And as my journey in life continues, wherever my mind will go

I'll always remember, for it had helped me grow

This is about the place where I was born and raised and lived up until August 2002 when I moved to Washington in August of 2002. In April of 2004 I returned back to the area and July 2004 I moved into the Harbor Tower. When I wrote this poem, I knew changes were coming, but wow, didn't know so many were on the way.