Brothers

                         

Little do we realise that we too are wild animals                                                                      Starting as children, crying for mothers milk                                                                                Grabbing anything with our liitle fingers                                                                                      Pushing it in our mouths in case it is food

Then as we look around we are aware of others                                                                  There is another child in the family                                                                                            Who looks at you strangely...you're the enemy                                                                          For you have taken something precious from him

And so it was with me for my own brother hated me                                                                    Five years later I finally understood                                                                                              Mother would encourage us "Go out to play"                                                                                So we did and clearly he was in charge  

We lived in the country and we walked in the woods and the fields                                            As his plaything he would push me in the stream                                                                        Or run off and hide from me laughing away                                                                                  As some of his friends in our street came along

I leant that the best thing to do was to just walk away                                                                  Find my own friends who also lived in our street                                                                          And so it was other boys who were my age                                                                                  Invited me home to play...so I survived                              

Illustration found at www.pixabay.com                                                                                      

Dum cuts it

                                 

Dum and Yum were now settled in village life, hunting, fishing and growing vegetables and harvesting fruit in season. Their hut housed all they needed placed on the floor or hung from the walls. They sat on the floor to eat, lay on it to sleep and the children played on it too. After a particularly wet period Yum could stand it no longer and slapped Dum on his arm and pointed to the mess. Dum knew what the problem was as the children played chasey round his legs

He nodded at Yum and went outside in the pouring rain with his axe and knife. Yum knew he could solve the problem or if not there would be one less inside the hut. The children wanted to go with him but she shook her head so they ran round in circles again.

Dum walked to the forest where the trees shade kept him dry and he had a think. He gathered and trimmed some branches to take home. Starting back the sky brightened up which would help.

Some village children were playing in the puddles and Yum now greeted him with a gentle caress, raising her eyebrows at his bits and pieces. She was going to say it doesn't matter any more but could see he was prepared to make something. 

He cut and shaped the pieces of wood then fixing them together until he had finished one piece. It was a three legged stool, not big enough for him or even for Yum but one child could sit on it. It was stable on its three legs so he showed it to Yum.

Yum suggested making more to sit on or keep things off the floor. She thought of other things too such as shelves on the walls! Dum looked shocked, far from coming up with an answer for a simple request for a seat for the children on a rainy day he had to make furniture now for the whole hut.

357 words

The second of two

I was the second of two

Which was sad as a wee lad

I was bad news for my bro

He bullied me so I was sad

If Ma would see the fine day

"Off you go my little ones"

She would send us out to play

Brother jumped and broke my arm bone

Soon worked out he's enemy

Chose my friends as he was bad

Once left me high in a tree

Other kids came so I was glad

Broken bones and bruises too

Soon taught me to choose my mates

Saw him at home; outside adieu

So left him at the garden gates

We both grew up quite apart

He teased me when we were home

But different schools for a start

Then later, off I went to roam

Saw little of him for years

He wed twice to stunning girls

Both brides ended it with tears

That's life as it's all twists and twirls

But I still remember him

And the girls that he let go

Shouldn't have chose a life grim

Just started so wrong years ago 

I know how that feels

With half the world starving
Why shouldn't I write about food?
For I know how that feels
I've known times both bad and good

Years ago I was but three
Much food was rationed boo hoo
I ate all that there was
Even licked a dish or two

War ends, times were still hard
That was us in the new world
Ate leaves and grass, food was short
Oft hungry in bed curled

Of course things turned out well
And better times did come round
Still recall those times long gone
Waste not want not; that's profound!


Image of WW2 children found at www.60ac3217c4637650...jpg

Sisters

"Wait until your father gets home"
It was my wife's mother's comment
When her two daughters acted up
By behaving like little girls
Sadly when father did get home
They hid, lest he punish them both
For they were so frightened of him

She told me this soon after we were wed
I was never punished as a child
At least nothing I did not deserve
But then I was a mummy's boy
My father a sportsman when young
Keen for me play the sports he did
Just scolded, when I did something bad

Image found at www.pixabay.com

Reminiscence of an old man

I am but an old man that lives in the past
I'm all alone and my years will not last
Of precious time, I've nearly spent it all
For soon I must give up life's precious cup
Sind my way to heaven or not wake up

Those dear meoraies now come flooding back
A strange childhood in midst of world war 
When some foreign fools chose a battlefield
As this boy saw strange bombers in the sky
And grieving aunts for dead husbands did cry

Now food was scarce on our dining table
But gardens were planted with vegetables
I ate the leaves hedgerows to fill me up
Government gave free milk to kid at school
And a pre-war adverts us boys did drool

Crockery was chipped could not afford more
Such is the impact of a long lasting war
Once went to grandma's to see roses flower
Glorious yellow and pink blooms, such flair
Beauty that us boys were quite unaware 



Image found at www.pixabay.com

Her kiss of delicacy

My wife died nearly ten years ago
As you'd imagine that hurt a lot
Fought her illness long as was her way
Everyone wept for many a day

We married long ago in Britain
When we were both aged twenty one
Independent strong minded both were
But we thought alike and did concur

She was an analytical chemist
Sang in choir and performed on stage
Loved the flicks so that pleased me too
Explored overseas, was good to do

Agreed that children should come along
And they did just that, one, two and three
I wanted girls, she wanted a boy
Boy came first then two girls to enjoy

Both of us wanted to see the world
So migrated to Australia then
Was the best thing we ever done
As though a lottery we had won

As the children grew and made their way
She then bought a bookshop just for fun
To take her mind off kids leaving home
As they too found partners of their own

With just me and her living alone
Both retired we travelled far and wide
Some years later cancer knocked her door
She fought hard but sadly lost the war

But what a life of triumph was hers
For she laughed and loved it to her fill
Our three children are her legacy
So miss her kiss of delicacy

Illustration is postcard of migrant passenger ship Fairstar which was the boat we emigrated on in 1966.

Bunch of bluebells

What is war like for children?
I'll tell you as I was there
When bombing, sinking and fighting
You'd think that would engender fear

Lived but an hour from London
Knew well when sad siren called
The drone of bombers overhead
You'd think that kids would be appalled

Our house at back led to woods
Through fields of ripening corn
Where us kids would live our lives
Planes overhead since we were born

We'd climb the trees and wade streams
Lived our lives in chosen world
What better to live our young lives
Than in the dank bomb shelter curled

Kids see though different eyes
As parents worry with the truth
The delight when back home we come
Forgetting their own days of youth

Recall the delight on Ma's face
At bunch of bluebells brought home
But now happy all in one place
Before nights fear of bombers drone

Image foiund at www.pixabay.com

It's your birthday

She ran along the road in her bare feet
One vagrant child of many running free
Pulls coats and dresses begging "S'il vous plait"
If the gendarmes were not about that day

Most men would merely flick her aside
Or ignore her as if she was not there
Ladies could not be predictable
Even those whose fur coats were of sable

One clearly loved all children as she turned
Gave her a trinket fastened to her dress
Girl's grimy face beamed with a radiant smile
So lady chatted for a little while

She could see much more than others there
Wished she had more trinkets she could give her
But just smiled then turned round to walk away
Turned back "Keep it, pretend it's your birthday"

Image found at https://www.change.org

Boys are horrible

Boys are horrible and I should know
I caused havoc wherever I'd go
With a whipping stick in my right hand
I'd join my mates on the farmers land
We'd play hide and seek in the ripe corn
Acting the fool as we'd done since born

The war had been on for a few years
We played and laughed while mum's were in tears
Most kids dad's were overseas at war
She struggled to cope as we were poor
She had to work hard to make ends meet
So she served in a shop down the street

We kids went to school five days a week
I got bullied of course 'cos I was meek
Soon I was with a gaggle of friends
But we'd all meet up at the weekends
Sometimes there'd be a gap in the class
We'd pray for him, he was not the last

Summer we'd walk to school on fine days
Mum came too "It's good for us" she says
We had to be careful what we spent
She's worried where all the money went
Kids minds are ever on other things
Like hearing the songs Vera Lynn sings

We were mad keen on spotting the planes
Or hearing news on Army campaigns
Watching convoys with soldiers aboard
Tanks and trucks now being sent abroad
How we collected such useless things
Like fag cards and feathers from birds wings

In wartime you rarely had a thing
I still recall my mother did sing
She was frightened but hid it from us
With her smiling face we caught the bus
So the war went on we were not afraid
"Your Dad will be home next week" she said

Image found at https://1940sradio.com/index/php/gallery/1940s-flashbacks/ww2-gas-masks

Note: This was the situation for many families inn WW2 in Britain however I was luckier as my father who worked in London did come most nights of the week because he was what was described as being in "Reserved Occupation" as he ensured the Electricity supply was maintained there. Most of my cousins dads were in active service in Britain or abroad, but almost nobody was well off with the rationing and shortages at that time.

The Playground

We loved to play here as children 
Climb the trees, swinging on the branches
Swim in the creek on the weekend
Then all our fun came to an end

For the next time we went up there
A sign was up and trees cordoned off
And deafening noise of chainsaws
All's now gone, there are no bird caws

So we scoot off down to the mill
Learning lesson for all our lives
As nights's noose came crowding in
As our free lives were in a spin

We drifted home and late for tea
We grumbled as we told our tale
Dad laughed and said with a grin
"Be a playground for you to play in"

"It already was" cried poor Alice
"They'll cut all the trees that we climbed"
"And the creatures will have no home"
Bill said "Be like an aerodrome"

Image found at http://www.tamartrails.co.uk/why children-need-to-get-outdoors-and-play

All at peace

I always hurry home from work
All my married life with Maureen
Been together just a few years
Much work to do, no time for tears

Whilst wifey raised our family
Pushing pram to our village shop
We had babies Martin and Ruth
(I wanted more to tell the truth)

Our back garden fence on moor land
So took toddlers there for a walk
To see the pine trees and the lake
Wild birds flew up, we saw a snake

There we were alone on that moor
Kids loved it even a slinking fox
We sat down and watched all around
Nature at work, then homeward bound

Both kids now had sticks in their hands
They loved seeing this world up close
So back we went to lunch and Mum
All hungry, they'd eat every crumb

Wife was ironing when we got back
But stopped to hear the kids wild chat
My working week all released
I love to see us all at peace

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/moor-moorland-swamp-793619/

I make a mistake

This poem is being awoken that causes a fright
This poem is hearing crying on a starlit night
This poem is a nudge in the back by my wife
This poem's about my turn to tend to the love of my life

So up and off to our sweet daughter's pink crib I go
So pick her up, tears vanish as a kiss I bestow
So a sweet smile comes on her now beaming face
So I smile too as she now looks around the whole place

We go off to the kitchen to warm some milk for her
We see a bottle of beer in there but I must demur
We warm up the milk in saucepan but make a mess
We put it in a bottle she drinks I give her a caress

I make a mistake by taking her in our room
I see at once that her face is now all abloom
I see that my dear wife is shaking her sweet head
I know now that I have to find another bed 

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/252201647869405238/

A kid again

No zero tolerance in my day
Just  knew that I'd mucked up
I would have to stay in and not play

That was the rule both home and at school
Swinging legs in my seat
Wanted to cry but I'd look like a fool

Then at last minute allowed a break
To go to the toilet
This was my playtime for goodness sake!

I much preferred to run around like mad
Teacher patted my head
"Be good next time" I saw she was sad

Perhaps she was human after all
In the playgound I went
To race round about until bells call

Others had been there so grinned at me
But I recalled her eyes
She wanted to be what I could be

Young and skipping and jumping with glee
A kid again like us
When back in the classroom she smiled at me

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/children-classroom-students-kids-2067/

My Granddaughter

I stroked her hair as she closed her eyes
Then put her big story book away
How easy to love my granddaughter
When with fairy tales or dolls I play

I feast my eyes on her as she sleeps 
Then return to daughters dining room
More juice? Son in law now says to me
Waving bottle in hand; I say nay

She's little now but the day will come
When no doubt more wrinkled I shall be
When with luck she'll want to play with us 
Plates cleared for games like Cheat or Rummy

Image found at http://scottishbooktrust.com/

My daughter tells tales

There's a cypress in our garden
And it's tall and thin like me
It's been there for many a year
It watches us carefully

It's not like a trembling poplar
Or sturdy like an old oak
But proud and tall and whispers to me
And sometimes will tell a joke

It can see above the rooftop
To find the hills far away
He yearns to be in a dark forest
To go there on holiday

T'was my daughter who told those tales
Handsome knights, a midnight deed
Of dark haunted woods and waterfalls
Searching for lost Gannymede

I love this world she has created
Rivers overflowing and gold mines
Rose will be a poet or writer
She's showing all the right signs

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/787215209841315856/

Entwined by the young

Grandchildren run down the beach
Buckets in hand
Across the sand
We settle in a deckchair each

I keep an eye on the wee pair
They pick up some stones
As I rest my bones
But close my eyes in the deck chair

The seas song sooothes me fast asleep
Shading my eyes
While Seagull cries
Until I hear not a single peep

I know not how long that I'd slept
Heard distant drones
Weight on my bones
Woke, found that I was quite inept

A seaweed skein draped on my head
Shells on my chest
Pebbles and rest
That weighed down my merman's bed

Soon sea shanty's refrain was sung
Crowds were abuzz
Laughed at the fuss
No shame to be entwined by the young

Image found at https://depositphotos.com/97825174/stock-video-senior-man-sleeping-on-deck.html

Least impact

When I think about myself
I still wish for more
Even though my life has been filled
With memories galore

Off to school every day
Carrying gas mask
Aware that we were at war
Quite an easy task

Food was rationed didn't care
As we played ouside
Did eat some leaves and berries
Grass and much more beside

Skies above were filled with planes
Both fighters and foes
Doodlebugs above us droned
Night sky often glows

So much has changed since those days
My kids raised in peace
But values have altered much
Greed rules without cease

Life can be good at anytime
Care not, cheat and rob
And think not of others plights
Refugees they sob

We're void of humanity
Don't share what we've got
But at least I've seen the best
Now...who cares a jot?

When I think about myself
I'm so glad in fact
Being the chap I came to be
One with least impact

Image found at https://militaryhistorynow.com/2017/03/31/

I remember you

I remember you
In World War 2
We fished for tiddlers
In the water under the bridge
Socks, shoes on the bank
You were wading and squealing
And me shouting like anything

Water was cold 
But you were bold
Dress tucked up in your drawers
In the water under the bridge
Held hands then let go
My short trousers just the thing
And jam jars held with string

Tiddler or two 
All we could do
Waded back upstream
In the water under the bridge
Splash you fell over
I turned now you were crying
So spent rest of the day drying

Went on the swings 
To dry your things
Before our walk home
So the water under the bridge
Kept the tiddlers we caught
Lucky your tears were soon gone
You smiled at me and the sun shone

Image found at https://www.masterfile.com/

Tiddlers - Small fish

Yes, I did do this a long time ago but usually with my brother or other boys as the girls in those days kept their distance!

How time flies

Wistful was his mood now
Their time to leave came round
The visit had relieved all fears

The childrens' cold faces 
Shone in the moon's bright light
And the stars twinkled in their eyes

The old farmer's daughter
Brought them up to visit
The dark night now hiding his tears

His voice as harsh as gravel
Did speak of love and things
Before they then said their goodbyes

She leaned against him then
Touching his gnarled old hands
The children he'd not seen for  years

Jess said they'd come again
He so hoped that was true
But the farmer knew how time flies

Image found at https://www.shutterstock.com