Waiting for Godfrey

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Sun, 23 Mar 2014
  • 2248 reads
11 comments
 
It sure does blow, up here.  Look at that plane;
it's really high.  We used to bring the kids here 
to fly their kites, didn’t we? But tell me – 
what do you think’s happened to that aircraft;  
the one’s gone missing without a trace?  Impossible
in this day and age, one would have thought...well
wouldn’t one?  Speaking of aircraft, how about our trip 
to Corfu...the one went via Brindisi, and Dubrovnik.  
We thought our number was up that afternoon 
when it tried to land in a storm with no ground radar.  
Those were the days, right enough.
 
So...what’s up, Godfrey; cat got your tongue? No
arguing the finer points of my ‘story’?  No telling me
black is white if you say it is?  This is all about us,
and them, and if I told you we had a hell of a time there,
eventually...all four of us, if but two days late, you’d enjoy it...
the reminiscing, except you’d probably change the subject...
go on and on about Schrödinger’s cat, Quantum Physics
and stuff. About getting the patent for your latest invention,
the book you wrote, all about the meaning of life, 
you were hoping to get published.
 
So...tell me about that man, the one jumped off the roof?
You were mentioning it earlier and then that plane came over,
couldn’t hear a thing...The police arrived, and then what?
It’s quiet now; the plane’s gone, and you’ve not answered
my question.  I’m waiting, Godfrey.  OK then, I’ll talk
to myself...as if no one is sitting with me, here on this bench...
a rug tucked around their legs, eyes steel grey and vacant
asking me how many children I’ve got, and
what are their names.
Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Love
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Parson Thru on

A day in the life - so poignant.  Heart-breaking, really. 

Parson Thru

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks for reading, PT, and your thoughts.  More than appreciated.

Tina

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

One point , you changed his name to Geoffrey in the last verse, did you mean it or am I being thick?

 

That aside, a lovely heart wrenching piece, all sailing along very nicely till those last lines.

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Lindy...it's me that's thick, and thank you so much...my mind elsewhere, these days.

Your words, more than appreciated.

Tina

 

Submitted by Luke Neima on

There's something about a monologue well done that can convey the essence of character like nothing else. This poem has that - loved it Tina.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, Luke.  Good of you to say so, and it is much appreciatedsmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Absolutely agree, Luke.  Tina is so good with characters... love this!

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Yet another well-deserved cherry.  Have you put these in a book yet?  is it available?  I'd love to buy a copy.  There's something about holding a bound book and turning the pages, by hand...

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks for reading, Frances, and I'm pleased you enjoyed.

As to your question, I have two published collections, In Two Minds and To Glimpse a Butterfly.  Both were written to raise money for the hospice that cared for my daughter in the last few months of her life.  In the end I raised over two thousand pounds.  The first book was published in 2008, and the second, 2010, and in theory are available from Amazon and all good bookshops but in practice, I hold the remaining stock.  If you contact me with a forwarding address I would be more than happy to send you copies.

Thanks again for your interest.

Tina 

 

Submitted by mandylifeboats on

I wept a tear for poor Godfrey. And for his valiant wife I wept two.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks for telling me, mandy...