A Penny Candy

My dad was one of nine children in a low income family.  His childhood experiences are the subject of many family stories and he often described his memories in poetry.  A Penny Candy is one of those memories.  (Dad died in 1995.  The grandchild mentioned in the poem is my niece who recently celebrated her forty-sixth birthday).

When I was just a little boy
Not more than three or four
My wealth was a little round penny
And my world the candy store

I'd stand before those heavenly trays
My penny held so tight
And changed my choice as in my mind
I tasted each by sight.

That poor old soul stood patiently by
Understanding my wistful gleam
For he was once a child like me
And his penny just a dream

A penny candy, a penny candy
Can I make you understand
All of what it meant to me
With a penny in my hand?

Well I have grown a lot since then
My children grown up too.
In fact I have a grandchild
And shortly I'll have two. 

Could they ever know the pleasures
Of a trip to that pleasant land
Where sweetened childhood dreams come true
With a penny in your hand?

But now it's no more penny
It's five or ten or more
And no more sad old gentleman
And no little candy store
 
The kids still go buy candy
And I'm sure it gives them joy
But it's not the penny candy as
When I was a little boy.