A Trip To Soupy Island - pipTalk Forums

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Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2009-05-29 09:26 PM

They called us river rats,
because we lived near the river
in narrow streets
teeming with real rats
that at night crawled bold
from warehouses, storm drains,
and slaughterhouses,
to roam our homes and bite us.

Hungry little rats,
we flocked to the river,
to Penn Treaty Pier
on Delaware’s shore
on summer afternoons
to climb aboard the “Johnnie”
or the “Lizzie” boat
waiting for our daily trip
to Soupy Island.

On the Island we were served
free of charge,
a tasty meal of soup,
crackers and milk.

They had swings
and a merry-go-round there too,
all for us to ride.

Sponsored by the Children’s Cruise
and Playground Society of Philadelphia,
Soupy Island was a most pleasant place
where you could escape a few hours
the hot, muggy streets,
and eat some wholesome food.

You never owned up
to being fed there
at Soupy Island’s
charity kitchen.

That was a place
for poor children to go,
and when you met
with fellow travelers
sitting on the stoop,
the taunt was always
“Got your lunch
at Soupy Island,
didn’t you?”

I never got meals
at Soupy Island,
oh no, not me,
that was a place
for the poor kids.

Bobby

Bill Charles
Member Patricius

since 2000-07-11

Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now

1 posted 2009-05-30 12:16 PM

Bobby - sad but telling write. Hunger in my stomach has been there, but....

BC

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

2 posted 2009-05-30 01:58 AM

Brings back memories of a time when people used to be embaarrassed to except charity.
Ida

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3 posted 2009-05-30 09:16 AM

Thanks Bill,

For reading and commenting. But what?

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

4 posted 2009-05-30 09:19 AM

Thanks dear Ida,

People are still embarrassed to take charity. People these days are just too selfish to give charity.

Love Bobby

[This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (05-30-2009 11:33 AM).]

Osprey
Member

since 2009-04-12

Posts 249

5 posted 2009-05-30 09:59 AM

Yes, I know this is Bones, but I'm only too pleased to have more detail. That which troubles us in youth, often transforms into pride in our roots. As for charity, my dad used to say: give it directly to those who need it, son; there's too many want to live it up on your hard-earned money.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

6 posted 2009-05-30 10:27 AM

Thanks dear Osprey,

I'm retired and living off your so called "hard earned buck" right now.

Thanks dude.

Love Bobby

Bloodline
Member

since 2009-05-23

Posts 236
Oklahoma

7 posted 2009-05-30 12:05 PM

A worthwhile escape
and a chance to give
can be our blessing,

Bloodline

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

8 posted 2009-05-30 12:08 PM

Thanks Bloodline,

Yes, Soupy Island was a way fun place.

Bobby

Osprey
Member

since 2009-04-12

Posts 249

9 posted 2009-05-30 12:43 PM

It's not a so-called hard earned buck, my friend. I have a wasted body to vouch for it.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

10 posted 2009-05-30 01:54 PM

Thanks Osprey,

For commenting again "friend". I've always earned my keep.

Bobby

Osprey
Member

since 2009-04-12

Posts 249

11 posted 2009-05-30 04:27 PM

Did I say you hadn't? Let me make it clear: My father would never give to registered charities, but he gave plenty, directly to those who needed it. He maintained that he wasn't going to support some a sshole in a suit, and his expense account. I'm talking of the days when only 5% of donations reached the needy. And, if the cap fits wear it.' friend'

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

12 posted 2009-05-30 04:49 PM

Thanks Osprey,

For another comment. You can call me anything you want, but I'm not going to let you have the last word on my own thread.

BTW, don't forget to call me for lunch.

Bobby/Bones

Billie Cullimore
Member

since 2009-03-27

Posts 315

13 posted 2009-06-02 03:40 AM

Oh! Bobby,

Here we go again. I am the youngest of ten. I know we were not as hard up as a lot of people on the east coast during the great depression, but I remember my dad and brothers taking gunny sacks and walking along the rail road tracks picking up the coal that fell off the train cars so we would have heat in the winter. I remember when our lights were turned off and we had coal oil lamps. We didn't have live stock then. I was just little ,As children we didn't know we were poor because everybody was poor, and we got free lunch at first grade. I remember once when one of our dogs took my shoe and hid it under the house and I had to go all summer bare-foot because there was not money to buy a second pair.

But, you know what? Bobby, it has made us what we are and I wouldn't change my experience for all the rice in China.

Love 'un stuff

Billie C.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

14 posted 2009-06-02 11:43 AM

I don't believe that Bones ever really thought of himself as being poor. In spite of all that he experienced in his young life, he seemed to have himself quite together. He was able to truly appreciate and enjoy, the simplest of pleasures.

Linda

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

15 posted 2009-06-02 12:20 PM

Thanks dear Billie,

I'm not poor anymore, which is nice. I'm still a River Rat, I have no desire to leave my beloved hood.

Love bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

16 posted 2009-06-02 12:21 PM

Thanks dear Linda,

Yes, Soupy Island was always a lot of fun.

Love Bobby

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