We always liked to go to Matewan
About seven or eight miles away
It was only a little country town
And we'd stay there most of the day

There was a supermarket on the corner
A department store and a five and dime
Even though we kids had no money
We would look and wish away the time

The town had Matewan National Bank
And an old-fashioned filling station
Daddy would get Dr. Pepper for us there
The fizz made a wonderful sensation

A favorite place was the feed and grain
We liked to pet the little yellow chicks
And looking at all the seed and plants
Was a poor kid’s way of getting kicks

Daddy bought seed and fertilizer
Mother always got a flower or two
Our garden sure did come in handy
And lasted the winter through

There was a fresh fruit and vegetable stand
About three miles south of town out of town
Daddy bought the sweetest watermelons there
And we sure could wolf 'em down

We kids didn't realize how poor we were
But our parents sure had it rough
No matter how long and hard they worked
It never seemed to be enough

As with other memories from my past
I tend to daydream now and again
About the supermarket and the watermelons
And the Matewan Feed and Grain

Kathleen McCoy Eldridge©
May 9, 2006
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