Childrens laughter

A trace of childrens laughter woke me from my sleep
Let my eyes open wide; no, not a single peep
My dog lay at my feet fast asleep in the shade
Where were tose kiddies that sound they surely made?

Perhaps it was a dream of many years ago
When my children raced about eyes all aglow
When I used to join in their chasey games with them
Oh the laughs and joys in those days of sheer bedlam

When Ma relished break from cooking kids licking lips
They and I would get pizzas or some fish and chips
We get it walking to the shops quite close to us
The owner knew the kids gave kids candy; a plus!

For some odd reason the shop was painted bright green
But the place was always crowded and was quite clean
There were lacy curtains on the large window front
Plus table with magazines if reading was your want

Knowing we were regulars served us well did he
When we paid and picked up order extras there'd be
By such design as this we'd always patronize
For in his shop was best service and that's no lies

It's sad to think too much of the past long ago
Bite to eat at fish shop or way my wife's eyes shone 
Our kids playing with their spears and bows and arrows
Our memories like this are our joys and sorrows


Image found at www.pixabay.com

The Rock Island Line

I was sorting out my Dad’s stuff after he had died; you know all the usual junk that you’d find in an eighty year old man’s home who lived by himself.

A few bits might go the op shops; some furniture could be sold or passed on while the rest would be best taken to the tip.

There were a few sentimental knick-knacks such as photographs and memorabilia that could be kept if they had some memories for the family but for the rest…I just sighed.

It was when I was sorting out an old dresser I found something that intrigued me.

It was a much used copy of a 78rpm record going back the 50’s entitled “Rock Island Line” by The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group.

I cried as I remember my mother telling me they used to play it incessantly when she and Dad were courting.

Image found at www.45worlds .com

I love this city

I love this city
No, not the shopping mall
Or the famous landmarks
With their fine architecture
Avoid the tourist bus
Learning the spurious traditions of a bygone past

No, come walk with me
Not in the bright sunshine
You'll wander down this dark alley
To find a separate world I know
A place that I love
Far from green lawns, flowers and statues

Keep your eyes open
Stare at no-one
Particularly that woman there
See those doors way up high
It's an old warehouse
You can see a hoist still there above the opening

Stand here for a while
Do you here that rumble?
That's a train under our feet
It would be hard to sleep
In these old buildings
With that tremulous feeling all through the night

We can cross this bridge
Over a placid river
Here a man was thrown in and drowned
For just being different
Before the the city was built 
It was the native peoples campsite long ago

Each city is like this
Remembering like me
As it holds on to its chequered past
Now as we turn this corner
Here are the shops again
And the city that everyone thinks they know

Image found at www.sensationaladelaide.com

My Glorious Spring

Youth misspent of course
But what an education
A botanist I

Until I met you
It was then that I blossomed
My glorious Spring

Were you in my life?
All my sweet scented flowers
Basking in sunshine

Poppy was bubbly
Heather wanted so much more
I did make Rose blush

Iris was so tall
Lily stayed at my pad
I loved Jasmines scent

Fleur was so petite
You'd say I was in Clover
Posy a puzzle

Daisy chained me up
Young Ivy did cling to me
Petal shook me off

Those times now long past
Sadly I've faded not they
For I walk alone

Image found at www.blog.ravenbergphotography.com

Was that you?

On the road again

I’ve been in this town before

Many years ago

Sixties or seventies

I was so young in those days

Until I met you

You were beautiful

I was hungry for adventure

You just wanted me

And you were so strong

I was putty in your hands

Where have you gone now?

Country girls are best

So strong and reliable

How did I leave you?

Could you still be here?

Married and a grandmother

Thinking of me too?

The old town has changed

So have I for that matter

Was that you just then?

Image found at www.exploreaustralia.net.au

The apple of my eye

 

I’ll leave the city

Green freedom is what I seek

No cars, ships and planes

 

I feel so small there

I've been bottled up too much

Squeezed in by dust and noise

 

Where’s my wicker chair

The plop of fish in the stream?

Fuss I do not need

 

Goodbye towers grey

There’s a better place to be

To slacken my mind

 

I'm returning to

The apple of my eye and

In your bosom lay