An ocean of blue rinses dazzles;
outside it's grey, as grizzled anoraks
drift by, but in the hall it’s warm –
as, pen in hand, Flo spreads her cards
before her like a florid fortune-teller.
“Eyes down, and we’re ready to roll!”
stuns the serried ranks of tables –
troops set for battle as hush pervades;
the cacophonous crackle of an errant
pack of Wotsits warrants an avid,
“Shut the fuck up!”
“Let’s get this show on the road, ladies,
and gent! Sunset Strip – 77... and 2 little ducks,
22,” as daubers daub, 19 to the dozen,
while the odd black square springs up,
here and there, like missing teeth.
Flo fiddles with a row of ‘poppit’ beads
that fidget her neck, as familiar incantations
set off her palpitations. “Unlucky for some, 13...
two fat ladies, 88...sweet 16, and never
been kissed, if you believe...
That’s a 1 and a 6.”
Then someone hollers, “Line!” as a member
of the elite, pink rinse brigade checks their card,
and you could hear the proverbial pin drop
as she OKs it with the caller.
Flo goes home to her small bedsit – dreams
of winning, unrequited. A mug’s game,
and she knows it...poorer by half, she is,
but all the richer for the company she craves;
albeit for an hour – once a week.
Comments
lenchenelf | September 12, 2012 - 19:44
Laughed and cried in equal measure, you balance well to make your point (curtsey)
Some small typo's, perhaps scan through again?
Lovely stuff xxxxxxx
Silver Spun Sand | September 12, 2012 - 20:06
Thanks, Lena, pleased you enjoyed. Found a couple of little blighters at least. Thanks for your eagle eye;-)
Tina xxx
jolono | September 12, 2012 - 20:58
Thought this was excellent Tina. Tells a story from start to finish, enjoyed.
Sooz006 | September 12, 2012 - 23:01
I like this one because it's different from your norm. I think I could read one of yours now and know who wrote it, that's not a negative thing, it's your style and I've come to know it ... this one I'm not so sure I would have guessed. Very good and a really nice change.
Silver Spun Sand | September 13, 2012 - 07:40
Thanks, jolono. Pleased you thought so;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | September 13, 2012 - 07:41
Many thanks, Sooz. A change is as good as rest, so they say;-)
Tina
fatboy74 | September 13, 2012 - 16:12
A cracker Tina. :-)
Silver Spun Sand | September 13, 2012 - 19:30
Many thanks, fb;-)
Silver Spun Sand | September 13, 2012 - 20:00
Ta muchly, fb;-)
sue dinum | September 13, 2012 - 21:07
Hi Tina. A clever mix of poetry and humour. Very funny, much enjoyed. Eyes down and looking...
Five and nine, the Brighton Line...
Well done on cherries.
Trev
Silver Spun Sand | September 14, 2012 - 07:56
Thanks, Trev...all the sixes, clickety-click...or something like that anyway;-)
Tina
Linda Wigzell Cress | September 14, 2012 - 08:07
Nice one Tina. Sent me on my way smiling this chilly morning.
Linda
Silver Spun Sand | September 14, 2012 - 09:12
Thanks, Linda. Pleased to hear that, and yes, the mornings are decidedly autumnal now;-)
Tina
Denzella | September 15, 2012 - 07:23
Hello Tina,
Yes this had a nice mix of comedy, pathos and nostalgia with the poppit beads. I had forgotten them but you gave them back to me.
Great read as always.
Moya
Silver Spun Sand | September 15, 2012 - 07:58
I had loads of poppit beads as a kid. Maybe they'll make a comeback one of these days.
Pleased you enjoyed, and many thanks for telling me.
Tina;-)