Boy in Green Beret

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Thu, 13 Jan 2011
  • 6426 reads
26 comments
 

The warehouse on the wharf
where we used to take our stroll
long-since burned down.
In its place, a trendy restaurant
come café, but the city walls survive
and the path we walked by the Dee
hasn’t changed. On its banks,
silver-birch, ash, horse-chestnut trees
still thrive – etched in charcoal
on a water-colour sky. And the clock
on the church strikes every quarter
and each hour, as it always did.

I throw a pebble in the river, but
unlike you, I can’t make it skim
and in the field, where the cows
used to be – brand new apartments;
windows glint – catch my eye.
As did your smile, the last time
I saw you...in that uniform, so smart;
cap in hand, swinging on the gate
as you opened it for me. Yet today,
I toss our dreams to the wind...
and watch your green beret
float on down to the sea.

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Comments

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-Spun-Sand Another little gem, full of images and colour and memoirs.I should think. Thoroughly enjoyed. Poured hard yesterday and foggy? julie xx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Glad you enjoyed, Julie. Lots of memories...and lots of rain, especially tonight;-) Your comment cheered me up though. Thank you. Tina xx

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-Spun-Sand Thanks missed you last night. ~Gippy stomache then washed up the tap sprays out over the bowl china full up soaked didn;t help. So strange I told you about butter patts;and Blighter rock told story on kind of uterly butterly,we in stitches.I put on some comments,you said keep up butter patts; and the pen,Cherry! quickest ever.Thanks. Fab;evening.Apart from Gatwick,tanoy gave out suitcase dropped in front of train,so closed my eyes,and inwardly prayed,passengers be safe and get the train moving.within minutes Tanoy message,it is not as bad as thought,train is moving on.Do you need cheering up then had day in bed,got home at mid-night.Sure your a great painter,someone next train Victoria four seats we sat,sketching can I sse,brill; ends up did poems,said of AbcTales and had coupld copies on me,heading,greatly interested.The cat in rain bless his heart,out called him,came in miaow miaow must got shut out, till we went bed,put him out.Well it was foggy start off. Hope your feel brighter soon.Met so many like Tony said,round the tables names didn;t fit users name really funny,what I thought? Shop open till 8,30pm so got souveneir daughter before found "Wheatsheaf" couldn't got there without Ray. But Oxford Street,walked so fast lost him I panic,as got train pass and bus pass,but appeared I shouted for him.Underground changing crowding,me and mad said move over please,as nearly went on tracks daft? take care julie xx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Julie, I am so pleased you got back safely. Sorry I couldn't make it. Maybe next time;-) Thanks for reading this one, glad you enjoyed;-) Tina xx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thank you, so very much, SundaysChild;-) Tina x

 

Submitted by Highhat on
I was just about to say exactly what SundaysChild did. You paint some beautiful pictures Tina. Well done. I bet your paintings are just as good !! ;)Pia

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
I love painting, but am not very good...maybe I should just stick to writing;-) Glad you enjoyed this one and thanks for telling me. Tina

 

Submitted by TVR on
Poignant and thought-provoking as usual, Tina, and so rich in imagery. Well done! sue

TVR

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, sue. Much appreciated;-) Tina

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on
Just very, very good, agree with all the praise Tina. :-)

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Many thanks, fb. Pleased you liked;-) Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Tina, I too loved this poem, memories are such a pleasure. I know what you mean about the buildings you once remember, I have been on google map, alot of the places that hold fond memories for me are now gone, it is such a shame, but then poetry helps us remember and that is good. By the way keep painting, I paint and like you are not very good, but I find it a great artistic therapy. Thankyou for the read. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Happy painting, Jenny...and you are so very right about the therapeutic benefits. It is so relaxing and clears one's mind of all else. As you say, memories are so evocative in this changing world of ours. Such is progress, I guess;-) Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and I am pleased you enjoyed the poem;-) Tina

 

Submitted by seashore on
Another good one, Tina

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Pleased you think so, Coral. Many thanks;-) Tina

 

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
I love the two-stanza split structure, Tina. A very poignant and beautiful piece - it is not too loud but it speaks volumes :) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, Magic. I'm glad you noticed the structure because I literally 'tore my hair out' trying to getting it right;-) Tina xxx

 

Submitted by rjnewlyn on
It's certainly up there with your best. Perfect structure, perfect imagery - especially the contrast between charcoal and watercolour which adds a bit of muddiness and makes sure it has some bite. And full of nostalgia (in the literal meaning of that word). Rob

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, Rob, for appreciating 'the finer points';-) As far as the structure is concerned, it took quite a while to get it the way it is, and then it all just seemed to fall into place. Really pleased you noticed. Tina

 

Submitted by Deepanker Saxena on
mst say beautiful use of words...really could picturize each and every line of ur poem... truly awesome words and style... Deepanker SAxena

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Deepanker...my thanks to you for taking the time and trouble to read, and to comment, so kindly;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Beeme on
I really enjoyed Tina, beautiful imagery :) Beeme xx

k.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks so much, Beeme. Pleased you enjoyed;-) Tina xx

 

Submitted by Deepanker Saxena on
its my pleasure tina.. n m new here,jst uploading poems of mine.. would be great if u read and comment.

Submitted by Geertje Jong on
What can I say that has not already been said, but for good measure I will add...........how memories are pictures which will never let us forget! Super! I can smell the water from where I am sitting. Geertje

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Geertje - we meet again. Thanks for reading and for your more than colourful comments;-) Tina;-)