My old mind thinks back
It seems only yesterday
Times were different
I was different
Boy marked by another war
Privation still rife
Shortages everywhere
Our family had little
But the sun still shone
We walked everywhere
Looking at the empty shops
In early morning
Old woman waiting
To buy a stale loaf of bread
At the baker's shop
They sold at half price
She couldn't afford fresh one
How times have now changed
Image of 1940's postcard by D. Tempest found on www.ebay.com
It was the last day of our holiday in France where we had made friends with another couple and planned our last evening out with them at a cafe in the Latin quarter.
We had made no reservation but just wandered the crowded streets hoping to find one with the right local feeling about it.
Eventually down a dark back street we could see some beckoning lights and the chatter of customers seated outside.
We went on in and requested a table for four as the owner looked at his wife and she cocked her head at him and shrugged for clearly they we nearly full.
We were escorted to an empty table in a room that overlooked a side street and offered menus but told of the table d'hote which was inclusive of a bottle "vin ordinaire".
We all nodded agreement to that choice and the owners wife seemed pleased too at our selection for everything was prepared already and we were the type of customers that she liked.
It was the best meal I had had in a long time for the food, the wine, the service and the general atmosphere of eating with the locals was excellent and an experience that has remained with us for many years,
Image found at www.paris-paris-paris.com
The baby played in the filth on the floor and stared at is quizzically. I turned and nodded to my assistant to care for the child while I attended to the mother on the couch. The room was a mess. Clothing, papers and disarray everywhere as I checked to see if the woman was conscious or even still alive.
I guessed she had been popping pills as there were no syringes in sight. I phoned for an ambulance as I couldn't get any response from the woman except that she was still alive. My assistant came back; looked at me and said, " The baby has bad nappy rash ..." and pausing, "... some bruising...I think we should call an ambulance."
I nodded as my assistant went back to the baby. The woman was still inert; still no movement, breathing shallow, she was totally blacked out. Ambulance for her too.
Just then a strange man came in through the door.
"What the fucking hell do you think you are doing here?" he shouted.
"And you are? I asked politely.
"I bloody live here bitch. You can get out straight away".
Still defiant he stood his ground, as I explained that I was responding to a call for assistance.
"Well now I am here, you can get out."
"I am sorry sir, but the baby and this woman are in need of medical treatment and it is my duty to arrange that." I paused trying to keep calm. "Perhaps you could give me some details while we wait for an ambulance."
He was about to protest again when my assistant returned to the room and said, "They'll be here in a few minutes"
The man turned around angrily to see who this newcomer was and stared a 6'3" cop with a gun in his holster and the baby quiet in his arms.
Without a thought he darted for the door and ran off down the stairs.
Image found at www.7online.com
"Tell me again" She said
"Say the names of the places you love"
So I told her
They have all been with you
Meeting you from work
Walking arm in arm
Touching at the flicks
You sat in my lap
Kissing you alone
Just us on the beach
Lost in the forest
Laughing in the rain
Climbing that mountain
Nestled in my arms
Snuggled up so close
Waking by your side
You coming with me
To the ends of the earth
Image found at www.plug-in.bestbuy.ca
Mine is the topmost room
I can observe the world
People's joys and sorrows
Thunderheads anger to come
Neighbor is striding home
Wife prepares garden party
Extravagant nonsense
But I am not invited
Kids play on the sidewalk
Hopscotch now all chalked in
Little ones laugh and skip
Soon rain will clear that away
Silver haired man now knocks
Sharply on the front door
Time for my therapy
Veins in my head start throbbing
I try to clear my mind
To face today's session
But can't help lagging
Wish I was a kid again
Oh to be what I'm not
A little lamb again
Instead of a fierce wolf
Before the storm blows right in
Image found at www.pinterest.com
My strength is now sapped
Like a dying river
All shallows with no depth
A struggling fish reeled in
Then dying of grief
All my old bones ache
I collapse from within
A mask is torn from me
My true self revealed
What a hopeless wreck
Once radiant sun now dim
Shining no more for me
A lion with no teeth
Off the beaten track
Longing for that dim past
To emerge once again
But that's not to be
For you have long gone
Image found at www.alsuffa.blogspot.com
The seeds of desire
Were sown by her first shy glance
Thus I was entranced
Spring season of hope
The buds turning to blossom
The warmth of my heart
I touched her sweet hands
They were like opening petals
And warm as desire
I breathed in her scent
Bewitched like a lured insect
To a happy fate
Nestled in her love
Content in my entrapment
On her bosom laid
Image found at www.earth-heal.com
