The Sunday-curfew often tolled
mid-game
in the old baseball stadium by the bay
because old Hogtown frowned on fun
and games
especially on the Sabbath Day.
The beer joints closed up tight as
evening fell
to chase the drinkers home for their
din-din
otherwise the wives of old TO
would have besieged those dens of
mortal sin.
Then the Orange-Walk gave way to
the Gay Parade
shocking the “City of Churches” to
its core
but the kill-joys’ rage and ranting
were drowned out
by the new Toronto’s multi-ethnic roar.
Now when I see young lovers in the
bistros
and watch Caribana’s glitter, glitz
and glee
I know it’s not the old Hogtown I miss,
what I really miss is the carefree,
younger me.
CFP “Poet in Residence” William Bedford was born in Dublin, Ireland, but has lived in Toronto for most of his life. His poems and articles have been published in many Canadian journals and in some American publications.
