Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:43:42 -0700
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Russell The Red 7

Russell The Red
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)

7:  The Greatest Gift

Through November and into December, Russ' social life flourished.  Kind of
like his sex life flourished.  Fortunately most of his sports activities
cycled down over the holiday, to pick up again in the new year.  The choir
was gearing up for the big seasonal concerts with extra practices.  Russ
and Amos, now that they knew each other, were quickly becoming friends.
Nothing but nothing speeds that process along like a game or two of Truth
or Dare and the boy sex that accompanies it.  Russ realized that, he gave
some long hard thoughts about Sheila too.

When it came to girls he knew he needed advice.  Not that he didn't trust
his brother, but Kos did have his own agenda and he was just not quite sure
his advice, to go slow and easy, was necessarily the best.  After all the
talk he seemed to move very fast where Nadine was concerned.  Not that Kos
and Nadine didn't make efforts to include Sheila and Russ in activities:
movies, bowling, attending the choir concerts and exhibits at local
galleries.  It was the frequency of her staying the night, that Russ
worried about.  He figured once mom and dad came home that would probably
end.  Little did he know about how liberal the Smiths are.  If Kos or Nancy
for that matter, wanted a lover to live in or just stay over, they would
not object.  They would not object all that much if Russ fooled around,
once he was over 16 but that was a way off yet.

Nadine shared an apartment with several other students.  Her family and
home town was about an hour away from the city.  Just a bit to far for
communing but close enough for frequent visits.  Russ had gone a couple of
times with Kos and Nadine, to visit her parents and sisters.  They were
very nice people.  It was obvious they missed not having any boys in the
family and worked hard to make Russ and Kos feel comfortable.  Even
Nadine's youngest sister, who is 13, made an effort toward Russ.

Russ figured Elisabeth had a crush on Kos.  It was obvious, but since Kos
was Nadine's boy, it was hands off.  Thoughts, well that's another story
isn't it.  Russ liked Ell well enough but she didn't turn his crank like
Sheila did, not by half.  Speaking of Sheila she was not at all pleased
that Russ was going out of town, to visit a place with another, only
slightly older girl, in residence.  Russ was not quite sure what to do or
say, so he did nothing and said nothing.  Nadine to her credit recognized
the situation, even if Russ and Kos didn't.  She made sure to off handily
bring up the fact, real or imaginary, that her little sister Elisabeth was
going steady, which in fact meant she had two, sort of dates, with the
brother of her middle sister's friend.  Something she forgot to mention.

All Russ could think when she said that was, "how in the world could she be
going with him, he had a long pointed nose and big ears."  In fact, he was
some put out, figuring he was much better looking.  That may be true, Russ
still hadn't learned, looks are less important than other things and he is
14 almost 15 while little Russell is still only 11, and boys that old have
a sex appeal no 11 year old, no matter how big his cock, can quite match.
At least to Elisabeth, who didn't know how well endowed Russ was or what it
meant anyway.

Russ and Sheila were quickly becoming a thing, even in school.  Mom and dad
were kept informed by Nancy.  They were curious of course and pleased that
both their boys had girlfriends.  They both knew the O'keefs but did not
know the Horwoods.  It just killed mom not to ask all kinds of questions
but dad kept her under control.  Women just feel they need to know all the
details of their son's or daughter's relationships.  Not that dad's aren't
just as curious, they are but dad's just wouldn't ever come out and ask.
Dads will ask something like, "like her a lot?".  A yes or no answer is
expected and if nothing more is offered that's okay too.

Simon wondered if Russ would suffer any depression, as the holiday season
approached.  As a physician, he knew prevention was much simpler than
treatment.  His concern was well intentioned, if completely unfounded.
Russ was being kept so busy he didn't have any time to even think about it.
Simon could not have known how deep Russ' dislike for the Tolkans was,
either.  Even abused children often have some positive feelings for their
parents.  Now Russ did not hate or anything that strong.  He was just so
glad to be away from that situation and so secure in his new one, his
biggest problem was what to do about presents.  The most positive aspect of
Russ' seduction, if that is what it was, related to Russ' total comfort in
this new family.  He had experienced love in just about all possible
aspects, and found it was good.  Very good.  It was the freedom of spirit
that he was experiencing, even if he didn't know what to call it.

"I figured I would get all kinds of stuff.  If my birthday was any measure,
I was in for quite a haul.  I know I got to get stuff for mom, dad, Kos,
Eric, Nancy and Simon.  I don't know about anyone else, like Uncle Fred or
cousin Ruth.  I just got to get something special for Sheila.  I wonder if
Nadine would make something special for her," he thought.

"Nadine can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure Russ."

"Um, in privet?"  That got Kos' attention.

He just smiled.  "Damn the kid is growing up right before my eyes.  To bad
mom and dad arn't here to see it," he mused.  Ah, the wisdom of being 18.

"Okay."  She followed Russ from the studio into the kitchen.

"Nadine, I got a problem, maybe you can help me solve it...I just got to
get Sheila something special...I was wondering if you could, you know,
create something for her?"

"Of course Russ, I am honoured that you asked me."

"I want to pay you, you know, commission a piece of art... No, not just the
materials, your time is just as valuable as Kos' or mine."

"Okay, what kind of budget do you have?"  She figured he would only have
ten or twenty at most.

"Uncle Fred said I could withdraw up to $200 from my modelling fee account,
can you do something for that?"

"But what about Kos and your parents?"

"Oh, that's covered.  Mom e-mailed me and said I could spend $200 for
presents but not to tell anyone.  Dad e-mailed me and told me I could spend
$300, in addition to what ever mom said, but not to tell her.  But don't
tell Kos."

"I won't, that's quite a budget for an 11 year old.  I think..."  She took
a pencil and scrip of paper and drew something on it and turned it over and
made some calculations.  "Here look, how is this?"  It was a pendent in the
shape of an "R" with an "S", kind of inside.  The bottom half of the "S"
came under the middle bar of the "R" and in front of the legs the top half
came from behind the bar and up through the hole and in from of the left
leg and crossed over the rounded part of the top loop.  "It hangs on a thin
gold chain from a loop at the top.  I will use fine copper for the letters
and red and blue baked enamel on the letter fronts."  She turned the paper
over.  "Okay, materials $15, furnace fees and studio time $15, $15 for the
chain.  It should not take me more than two hours $50.  Make it $100 and
I'll sign the piece too."

"You got a deal lady."  Russ leaned over and gave Nadine a kiss on the
lips.  "Thanks," he said, "I knew you would come up with a winner."

"No Kos, its not a present for you and Nadine is sworn to secrecy."  Kos
figured it must be something for Sheila if not for him, so .. "Hay she is
my girlfriend, so why won't you tell me?"

"Because I commissioned a piece of art and the contract is between the
commissioner and the artist.  Being her boyfriend, in this case, cuts no
ice and you can kiss me all you want but I still won't tell... and sucking
my cock won't work either, except to taste my come...  Oh yeees, more, yes,
keep... oh push ...yes, god I love your cock in my ass...AHHHHHH....... But
I still won't tell."

Russ can be obstinate when he wants to be and he wanted to be.  Besides
this game is fun and if it gets him any additional sexual attention, that's
just one hell of a side benefit.  A game Kos also likes to play, he thinks
added sex is also beneficial.

When it comes to sex and each other, Kos and Russ are very hedonistic.  If
they had a motto it would be, Pleasure In Full Measure.  Some guys are
tops, some are bottoms but these two are any way I can get it.  Neither boy
likes to be used but they both just love sharing.

.....................

When mom and dad got back they were all over me like a wet blanket.  I read
that phrase in some Hardy Boys book, it think.  All I know is mom couldn't
stop hugging and kissing me and dad wasn't far behind.  I like hugs and
kisses but these were way different than Kos' and Eric's.  They felt good
never-the-less, just different and a lot less stimulating.  Now that I know
how good it feels to have parents, that think their the greatest thing
since ever.  Dad would say sliced bread.  I don't quite understand that, I
mean isn't all bread sliced?  Now I know just how much I missed out on and
how lame my old parents were, I'm even more glad to be rid to them.  I
guess that's how Harry Potter must have felt, about his aunt and uncle.

Nancy and Simon took me to see all the Harry Potter films.  One of the
local movie houses had a Harry Potter festival and the last two were
available in Imax.  I really like that.  I liked reading the books too,
it's different than seeing the film.  I guess reading works my imagination
more.  The DVD's are nice but the big screen is still the big screen.
Anyway, mom met J. K. Rowling, at a party in some Cambridge place, she told
me on the phone, after I told her how much I liked the movies.  She said Ms
Rowling is a very interesting person and I would like her.  I'm sure of
that too.  I think Simon enjoyed the movies as much as I did.  I know Kos
would like them but he had just to much studying and project work.

Anyway, mom and dad had a few small presents for us.  Mostly art stuff from
the British Museum gift shop.  I figured they had a lot more stuff for
Christmas, judging from all the stuff they hauled in.  Dad took me with him
to his office and around meeting people, since school was out until the new
year.  He even made sure I got to go shopping, just him and I.  All the
people in his office were very nice.  I was especially interested in the
model building department.

Dad is a structural engineer and he specializes in bridges.  I guess he is
the boss or something, everyone was just so friendly and showed a lot of
interest in me.  My red hair does it every time.  Anyway, he has a crew of
about 25, mostly they are Eric's age and a bit older.  In the model
building area the two fellows there, had to be in their 60's, were running
things.  I got the distinct impression they were gay partners and not
because their actions were, what Kos would call affected, because they sure
kept a close eye on my butt and kept looking at each other with that
knowing smile.  You know I kind of liked it too.  As Eric always says, `if
you got it, flaunt it'.  Well it's like my red hair, you can't hide it, so
why try.

I sure like watching them, I mean they were artists, just like Kos, well
not like Kos, they don't use paint or pencils but like Kos in how they went
about taking little pieces of wood and stuff, fashioning them into a model
of the structure.  I like watching the engineers work too, they were doing
all these neat calculation and applying load factors and stresses to the
design and then making things break.  It was like a computer game with a
purpose.  I could even like doing this sort of stuff myself.

Mom wanted to know what presents I had purchased.  I didn't want to tell
her but I figured she could keep a secret.  I told her about the pendent
for Sheila and was she impressed with my thoughtfulness.  Well, that's what
she called it anyway.

Dad took me to his athletic club every day too.  I like to go because I can
swim in lanes and they have a real cool diving pool, with boards and
platforms.  I'm okay on the 3 meter ones but I don't think I like the looks
of those high ones.  Anyway we swim and take saunas and sometimes play hand
ball or racquet ball.  I'm not very good at that but almost everyone wanted
to play me.  Most of the men are harry and hung, that's for sure.  I was a
bit disappointed no one seemed interested in my butt except to look.  I
guess that's okay, I've got Kos and Eric and attention is attention no
matter what form, right.

For Kos I bought a book, at the university book store, about the sketch
books of Leonardo.  I know Kos will like it.  Eric was a bit of a problem
for me.  I will ask Dad for help with him and Simon and mom for help with
Nancy.  That will make both of them feel good.  They are working so hard to
get close to me, I can see that.  What I just don't know how to do, is let
myself get close to them.  I want to get close to them.  I see other kids
and my nieces and nephews, some are even older than me, close to their
parents and grandparents.  I know that is how it is supposed to be and that
I need to give them a chance.  I mean I gave Kos and Eric a chance and that
has been super.  I know mom and dad would not ever hurt me physically and
sure wouldn't hurt me emotionally on purpose, but I just don't know.  I
guess I just got to just let it happen, that's all.

Mom told me I was not expected to get presents for anyone else in the
family.  They would see that all the aunts, uncles, cousins and so on were
taken care of.  What ever all that was to mean.  I wanted to do something
for Fred and Ruth since they had been so nice to me but mom assured me that
was not necessary and I would realize that as time went on.  Then she
pulled me close and kissed the top of my head.  It was nice too.  I just
pressed my face into her bosom and hugged her.  Wow, I know what I have
been missing.

I had mom and dad's gifts organized long before they came back.  Well maybe
a week.  Nancy had seen to that.  She came up with some good suggestions
and took me to the mall.  For mom, I got a gold charm bracelet with our
birthstones hanging on it.  Mine is Opal, hers is Ruby.  I wanted the red
one but that's the way things are and Kos' is Diamond or Quartz.  My budget
could not buy all that so Nancy paid for her ruby and I paid for the chain,
Opal and Kos' Quartz.  It was a good thing dad gave me the extra money.
Jewely is so expensive.  For dad, I found a neat leather wallet with his
initials in gold, on smooth black leather inside, when you fold it open and
a leather card case with L.S. P. Eng. on the outside.  The stores even
wrapped them for me.  I must say I felt real powerful and grown up paying
for those things.

I got the best feeling of all when dad took me with him shopping.  I went
into a toy store and purchased two stuffed animals and placed them in the
toys for needy children's bin.  I know from experience how important those
gifts are to kids in need.  I was one of them once.  I was a bit surprised
at dad.  Not that he said anything, it wasn't what he said, it was the way
he looked and the strength of the hug he gave me, right there in the mall,
with all those people.  He had a big smile and that proud head held high,
sense about him.  I know he approved and I know he was proud of me for
sharing my good fortune with the less fortunate.  I think this getting
close stuff is okay.  I mean, dad just let me know, in his own silent way,
he was behind me.  Somehow I knew he shared in my self satisfaction and
that was even more satisfying.  All I know is, I've got the greatest family
ever.

What Russ didn't know, Leslie Smith P. Eng. and Dr. Freda Smith, were among
the largest contributors to that campaign in the city.  He didn't know
because no one told him, and no one told him, because the Smiths never told
anyone.  Not even their children.  On the way home Les did ask Russ if he
needed any more cash and if he had Sheila covered.  Russ just told him all
taken care of and that was that.

Before we left the mall dad and I went into the arcade to kill a few space
invaders and other bad actors.  I know he had as much fun as I did.  You
could tell by the look on his face and those, deep, booming Yeses, he kept
saying.  He is good too for an old guy, real good.  He is just as much fun
as Kos and Eric.

Les was also very proud of his sons for taking up music.  He was glad to
see Kos getting back into it and very glad that Russ was both singing and
playing the guitar, his instrument.  After he listened to them both play,
he quickly got set up to practice himself, since he was getting rusty.

Russ was absolutely thrilled to be playing with his dad and big brother.
Not only because they praised him but because he was able to emulate them.
Most of all it was fun and nothing short of sex, bonds the boys, like
sharing fun times together.  It was even better than that, Simon could play
the keyboard with them.  Freda and Nancy were happy to see their men all
getting along.

During the run up to Christmas, Kos had many hours of painting to complete.
It fell mostly to Freda and Les to accompany Russ to his numerous singing
engagements.  Russ looked forward to each one, because he truly enjoyed
singing and he enjoyed seeing Amos too.  He still did not understand Amos'
relationship to Cass.  Russ figured they were sex partners like him and Kos
but beyond that, it was unclear.  Amos never mentioned his parents or
sisters or brothers, he only spoke of Cass, who was the only adult Russ
ever saw him with.

During the run up to Christmas it was one long round of social engagements
too.  It seemed that every night there was some dinner or party, either
being hosted or attended.  It seemed that, what would normally pass for
spare time, being a school holiday, disappeared, with Russ and sometimes
dad, pressed into K. P. duty.  Now Russ knew why Kos was so good a cook and
he was determined to become just a good.

Mom of course wanted to meet and get to know Nadine and Jessica and their
families.  Russ learned, that when Eric was younger, he almost lived with
his aunt and uncle; she thought of him more as another son than a nephew.
Something that caught his attention was her comment about Eric being much
closer to Les than to Fred, during those years.  That is just something he
filed away for future reference.

On the 23rd mom had invited the O'Keffs for dinner.  Russ figured that
would be a good time to give Sheila the gift.  The O'Keefs had some
scheduling problems with the younger children.  Russ could overhear the
conversation, well Freda's side of it anyway.  Our boy was quicker on the
draw than you might imagine.  He suggested that if Judge Carter came too,
then he could see Sheila got home and they could leave right after eating
with the little sisters, who it turned out was in a church pageant thing,
that night.

Freda and Les knew all these names and even some of the people from the
community, Freda's teaching and all the updates, on and about Russell.
Nancy did keep her mother well informed.  Mom was somewhat taken aback, she
passed on the invitation and suggestion, most of which Mrs. O'keef had
overheard.  She assured Freda her father would attend, since he spoiled
Sheila and it was obvious, he had taken a shine to Russell.

When they showed up Mrs. O'keef came armed with photographs of Halloween
and other Russ & Sheila memorabilia.  The mothers obviously thought Russ
and Sheila's obvious infatuation was cute, if nothing else.  They also
realized this was the beginning of those tumultuous years of adolescence,
almost all of which lay ahead.  Freda has been down this road twice before,
she knew what it was all about or at least thought she did.  They shared
their thoughts and the images in the kitchen, while Kos and Les entertained
Ed (Judge Carter) and Cathair, called Cat by his close friends.  Sheila and
Russ took the little sisters down to the recreation room, until dinner was
ready.  Russ did not notice, at first, that Sheila had slipped a small gift
under the tree, with his name on it.  That solved one of his problems.  He
would get Judge Carter to make his delivery for him.  He figured his friend
would willingly help.  He sure hoped so.  Ed did of course, Sheila was not
the only child he had no problem spoiling.

After dinner, the O'keefs had to rush along with the younger girls.  Ed and
Sheila remained for some hours.  While the adults, Kos included,
socialized, Russ and Sheila went into the TV room to watch some of the
seasonal entertainment.  Yes reader, they turned on the TV to the local PBS
station, to enjoy a the Boston Pop's Christmas Concert and to hold hands,
sit close together and who knows, even share a kiss or two.

The scene, captured in Kos' sketch book records the general layout of the
room.  Two heads sticking above the love seat back, one on the shoulder of
the other.  A TV in the background and just enough detail to more or less
recognize those heads.  The boy's head on the left was long and straight
hair.  The girl's head on the right was also long hair but with a small
ribbon in a bow.  Her head was tilted and on his shoulder.  We know this
because he gave the sketch to Ed.  Nothing was said as Kos slipped the
envelope into Ed's hand, just before they departed.  That was right after
Russ had slipped Sheila's present into his suit coat pocket.

Ed was discrete in not answering Sheila's question of what was in the
envelope, he did not yet know anyway; depositing the small, very neatly
wrapped gift under the tree for Sheila to discover.

It was some time later that Judge Edward Carter closed the garage door and
entered his rather large, empty house.  He no longer had a tree or any
decorations.  He missed all this seasonal stuff but it was just simpler to
let his daughter look after all that.  He carefully hung us coat in the
hall closet and picking up the envelope, slowly made his way to the
bedroom.  With his usual attention to detail he disrobed, brushed his teeth
and sat on the edge of his large empty bed.

Ed opened the large manilla envelope and slid out the pencil sketch.  He
had figured it was a sketch or some other piece of art.  He knew all about
Kos' talent and profession.  That the envelope contained something of this
nature was obvious.  As he examined the simple work, tears began to come,
so much he held the work away, in an attempt to protect it.  He knew this
was Russ and Sheila, being a pencil drawing, no hint of the red hair was
obvious, it could be any to young people experiencing their first love.
His thoughts were propelled back to his first love.  To his beloved Monica,
resting her head on his shoulder, in her parents parlour.  Now her ashes
rest on his mantle and her spirit lives in his heart.

The poets say an adolescent's first love is his most intense.  Monica was
Ed's first and only love, just as intense now, almost fifty years later, as
it was then.  His heart still sang with those memories as he knew Russ' and
Sheila's must have sang, earlier that evening.  He was not sure the greater
gift, no other, to a grandfather, can exceed the certain knowledge his
grandchildren experienced such wonderful emotions.

"I was just so charged up after Sheila went home I could hardly keep my
hands out of my crotch.  I was just to excited to sleep, so after mom and
dad went to bed, I slipped across the hall into Kos' room.  He was already
in bed attempting to read.  I made short work of that.  I dropped my undies
on the floor and slipped under the covers, placing my head under his arm
and in front of his book.  My man never batted an eye.  He closed his book,
placed it on the night stand and began kissing me.  I could feel his long
arms wrap around my body, his hands sliding along my back coming to rest in
the place I like best, my butt.

It wasn't like I hadn't had sex for a long time.  We have been managing to
get together at least once a day, but I was just way charged up.  I guess
he knew it, he never said anything.  Lovers as close as we are don't need
to talk, we just seem to know what each other needs, most of the time
anyway.

Kos reached up to turn off the light, I pulled the blankets over us
snuggling in, half on him with my head on his chest.  The next thing I knew
it was morning.  I doubt either of us moved all night.  Kos was still
asleep and I was only half awake when I became aware of something
different.  You get that feeling sometimes.  I looked over toward the door
and saw dad leaning against the frame.  He had a half smile and kind of a
long lost look on his face.

Me, was about to go into panic mode.  Dad just smiled, that knowing kind of
smile, winked at me, closing the door.  I guess I must have left the thing
open.  Old habits, I guess.  Kos' and my undies lay on the floor, it was
obvious.  I was about to start crying when Kos asked me what was wrong.
Kos didn't seem to concerned and stroked my back and played with my butt.
I couldn't understand how he could be so...so calm.

"It's ok little one, he cooed.  Dad won't say anything.  I bet he just
smiled and winked, right?"

"Yes, you know, one of those knowing kind of smiles."

"I don't know how many times he found Eric and I just like this.  It was
always the same, he smiled, winked and closed the door we had forgotten to
close."

"But won't he say anything to mom?"

"No, nothing, he might remind you to keep your doors closed and puck up
your laundry."

The Horwoods came to dinner on the 24th.  It was Nadine's turn to stand
inspection.  Russ figured she passed and her family passed.  He was still
not quite sure how far the two of them would go with all this.  For now it
was a good thing.  No one even suspected, except dad and Eric.  Mother and
sister felt relieved that both brothers were obviously interested in very
nice young ladies.  They were too, absolutely no doubt about it.  If
however, a choice had to be made, the girls would loose.  In the future who
is to say but right now, in this place, they were madly in love with each
other.  Not that romantic stuff so much as in the lust driven bonding
phase, that binds men and boys together.  A bond that only enhanced and
strengthened that of brotherhood, of family.  Would they become a couple as
Russ moved into adulthood?  A question we can not answer at this point in
the story.  A hope they both shared, in the back of each mind.

......................

Russ eagerly unwrapped the relatively small but very, heavy package.  He
could not imagine what could be so small and yet so heavy, a rock perhaps.
To his surprise it was a rock, not just any rock, a small, brownish,
unpolished piece of limestone, about 6 cm by 4 cm by 3 cm thick, with a
little bronze figure attached to it.  The figure had just a slight greenish
patina to highlight the features.  A boy, a barefoot boy, sitting on a
rock, fishing pole in hand.  The figure's features were fine and smooth,
like his, with a smile that Russ took to indicate satisfaction or
contentment, clearly defined his face.  He slowly rotated the figure
inspecting its craftsmanship.  On the bottom was a small sticker "Barefoot
Boy".

Russ knew in an instant what this was all about, the emotions stuttered
through his body.  This was his Sheila's recognition and acknowledgment of
his spirit and her willingness to share it.  Russ thought, "I am that boy.
I knew it when I first read the poem.  Sheila knows it too.  Wow we really
do share something special."

"What is the title Russ."  Dad asked.

"Barefoot Boy, you know the Whittier poem...

`Blessings on thee, little man Barefoot boy, with cheeks of tan!  With thy
turned-up pantaloons, And thy merry whistled tunes; With thy red lip,
redder still Kissed by strawberries on the hill; With the sunshine on thy
face, Through thy torn brim's jaunty grace; From my heart I gave thee
joy,-- I was once a barefoot boy!"

"Ah yes, I remember that poem as I recall a later stanza goes...

`Cherilly then, my little man!  Live and laugh as boyhood can; Though the
flinty slopes be hard, Stubble-speared the new-mown sward, Every morn shall
lead thee trough Fresh baptisms of the dew; Every evening from thy feet
Shall the cool wind kiss the heat;'

I like to add at this point, I was once a barefoot boy and I still am."

Dad opened his arms and Russ moved across the sofa to be embraced and
receive a kiss or two on the forehead, pressing his slim body against dad's
chest.  Kos had a momentary flash of jealousy.  It was intense but
fleeting, as he remembered dad and himself.  It was not sharing dad, it was
sharing Russ he had to adjust too.

Russ would have liked to receive a kiss or two on the lips but dad was not
about to do this.  His love and affection could not have a sexual context.
It mattered not what was in Leslie Smith's heart.  He had never shared or
even allowed any sexual interest in his biological children, this new son
would not be treated differently in kind; degree of course, was need
dependent and Les would deliver all that was needed and desired, short of
sex.

(This is one of John Greeleaf Whittier's (1807-92) best know poems.  It is
103 lines and to long to include here.  If you don't remember it all, but I
wasn't required to memorize it either.  Google "Barefoot Boy" or
J.G.Wittier for the full text.  Were you that barefoot boy?  Your author
thinks he still is.  Yes he goes barefoot as much and as often as possible.
He still thinks of himself, as not yet having grown up too.)