A knob of coal and some photos
in a beat-up biscuit tin; the sole
remnants of his past. Long ago
he had designs to be a teacher,
but at just fifteen, sent down
the pit to earn his keep. “Ideas
above his station,” they said.
Easington, born and bred;
mining – in his blood, until
the industry’s demise. The end
of an era, but life went on.
So, he’d moved down south,
took a job at Vauxhalls –
made the best of what he had;
Newcastle Brown, his fags.
Now, at almost eighty-five,
the thought of death
didn’t faze him – staunch
believer, as he was...Except
when it came to the crunch,
prayed that old Saint Peter
would let him in without a fuss.
No kin left to speak of;
an independent sort of chap,
so a bitter pill to swallow,
put to pasture in a rest-home.
Precious belongings left behind;
to uneducated eyes – detritus,
dumped and left to rot
on some downtown tidy-tip.
And for what? To stand in line
for Zimmer-frames, hearing aids,
plastic hips, and Alzheimer’s.
One morning, after breakfast,
he set off on his customary
stroll down by the river...Where
they found him late that night;
a massive heart attack, they said.
He’d seemed fine as we’d chatted
by the gate – him just going out,
and me coming in, as a sudden
gust of wind blew it open –
slamming shut, behind him,
as he waved.
Comments
skinner_jennifer | September 17, 2011 - 15:06
Hi Tina,
a very sad and touching poem, with a thought for a
man who never quite lived the life, he had planned.
But you have managed to convey with words so well,
what was a descriptive piece.
Thankyou for sharing.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | September 17, 2011 - 15:57
Thanks, so much, Jenny. He certainly was quite a character, and as you say, so very sad.
Pleased you enjoyed.
Tina
Highhat | September 17, 2011 - 17:32
You sure have met quite a few characters in your life Tina- this was a fine portait.
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | September 17, 2011 - 19:09
Many thanks, Pia;-) And yes, I have...you are right there;-)
So pleased you enjoyed and I hope your weekend is going pleasantly.
Tina;-)
MaggieG | September 18, 2011 - 03:12
Lord you do impress me :)
Your character studies are damn good !
Silver Spun Sand | September 18, 2011 - 08:12
Thank you, so very much, Maggie. I take that as a great compliment;-)
Have a peaceful Sunday.
Tina
Cavalcaderl | September 18, 2011 - 17:41
new Silver-Spun-Sand
Tina, what a great loved person,
worked so hard. The way bring in the
poem of the character's truly amzing to me.
Sad ending. But must been dearly loved.
Just got back from a church, swop buses so
late, walked in between. To-day peaceful,
no mobile,one call opology! accepted. Got
into me something. I seem to be or say the wrong
thing, or in the wrong place! But most want talk!
Fires back even here. Well deserved cherries!
julie xx
Silver Spun Sand | September 18, 2011 - 17:48
Thanks, Julie. Pleased you enjoyed this one and thanks for telling me.
Hope you have a peaceful evening;-)
Tina xx
barryj1 | September 20, 2011 - 15:30
Beautiful poem!
Silver Spun Sand | September 20, 2011 - 15:44
Much obliged to you, Barry. Glad you thought so;)
Tina
MistakenMagic | September 20, 2011 - 18:22
A heart-wrenching character-study, Tina. Beautifully written. I've grown rather fond of Geordies over the past year ;-)
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | September 20, 2011 - 18:51
I bet you have, Magic;-)
My dad was stationed in Easington during the second-world war, and formed a life-long friendship with many families there. In fact, my own daughter, spent some time with them when she too was in her teens.
Pleased you liked this one.
Tina xxx
alphadog1 | October 29, 2011 - 17:27
This is so much better than anything I could come up with, yet again I am just daunted by the talent here... The character you have built up is so well drawn and imagined... and the gate closing with the gust of wind is very clever, a deft touch. making the tone beautiful and unpretentious. I struggle with this, words for me are like lumps of stone. that always seem out of place. yet you manage with it such precision... strange that I chose this one out of all your work. especially now... good work.
alphadog1 | October 29, 2011 - 17:28
This is so much better than anything I could come up with, yet again I am just daunted by the talent here... The character you have built up is so well drawn and imagined... and the gate closing with the gust of wind is very clever, a deft touch. making the tone beautiful and unpretentious. I struggle with this, words for me are like lumps of stone. that always seem out of place. yet you manage with it such precision... strange that I chose this one out of all your work. especially now... good work.
Silver Spun Sand | October 29, 2011 - 17:57
alphadog - thanks, so very much for your lovely comment. This one I worked long and hard on for quite a few years, actually...never quite getting it right, and then one day, it just clicked. I guess that's the key for all of us 'would be writers'...just keep at it;-)
Hope you're having a good weekend, and many thanks, once again.
Tina
alphadog1 | October 29, 2011 - 18:51
ode to venus has been rewritten so many times it hurts.