The 'It' Girl

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Mon, 11 Apr 2016
  • 3542 reads
9 comments
 
“Make it snappy!” she’d holler, standing 
on the porch; curlers  in her hair, rolling-pin
 in hand. Apron, flapping in the breeze;
arms folded on her more than ample chest.
 
“Never mind hopscotch, fetch the pail 
and shovel! Quick!  You blind, 
as well as deaf, kid?”
 
I’d be rich if I’d a quid each time 
she’d bring me to my knees; mid-street –
holding my breath – and my nose.
 
“Nothing like ‘it’, you know, for making 
 rhubarb grow.” she’d say; ‘its’ posh name
was manure, 
 
but not  what she called it when she’d done 
with shovelling it into sacks then flogged it 
for sixpence a bag, supping her ill-gotten gains 
down the local pub.
 
Crikey!  Those were the days, alright,.
when real horsepower was king, and every
milkman, baker, coalman, rag-and-bone-man
had one – either a neddy or a nag.
 
Life’s lived in the fast lane now – things
have changed, but some things stick
like shit to a garden spade, and that’s
the memory of her face...
 
with her beaming, from ear to ear,
when she’d espy the perfect pile, rich
ripe, and steaming.
Certificate 12
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by airyfairy on

Absolutely love the take on the IP, and the concept of the 'it' girl.  It's the simple things that often bring most satisfaction wink

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Many thanks, af...so pleased you enjoyedsmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Brought a smile and memories to my day. Thank you Tina.

I can remember my nan saying 'keep out the 'orse road'. We didn't collect what the orses left behind though, no gardens to speak of.

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, Lindy, and thanks for sharing your priceless memories.  Our garden was postage stamp sized...just big enough to swing a cat round in...although, thankfully I never tried it with our Sandy...god rest his little furry soulsmiley

Pleased you enjoyed.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Tina,

loved your reminiscence down memory lane. Got me wondering how big cities must have smelt in Victorian times with all the horse drawn vehicles.

Your sense of humour shone through in this poem which put a smile on my face.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks Jenny.  So pleased it made you smilesmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

This took me back fifty five years... I still remember the old rag & bone sat on the side of his cart and the old nag plodding lazily along.  Loved the poem.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, ffe...that rag and bone man is etched on my memory too.  A bygone age, but a precious jewel in the crown of life, so to speak.

Pleased you enjoyed.

Tina

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Chuffed that you thought so, Bear.  Many thanks.  And as for that recycling.......smiley

Tina