London Monday Morning 1967

By threeleafshamrock

Sat, 13 Jun 2009
  • 2817 reads
13 comments
 

Paper-round over,
the smell of fried bacon attacking
my senses like a feather duster;
tickling my salivary glands.

Mum in the kitchen,
amid egg shells, Tony Blackburn,
The Kinks and a ‘Waterloo Sunset’
on a London Monday morning.

Dads discarded plate!
Rasher rinds and egg yoke forsaken
in the dash for Dartford Tunnel;
out-rushing the rush-hour traffic.

Washing with fairy;
‘Hands that do dishes can be soft…’
A quick dry with the tea-towel,
gains instant (loud) disapproval!

'Five minutes to nine'
Cackles Tony from ‘Radio One’
‘You’ll miss your bus for school’, nags mum
Air-kisses and I’m out the door!

Certificate U
Poem
shamrock's ramblings
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
I blush to admit, Chris, but I can identify fully with this litle gem. Every stanza is a joy and a golden memory for me. Waterloo Sunset, especially. Tina xx

 

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on
Thanks Tina, one of my all time favourite songs... The Kinks and Bob Dylan; be worth going back for them alone ;)

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
A nice and sentimental recollection, Chris, that awakens long forgotten memories. Well phrased. I particularly liked: "Rasher rinds and egg yoke forsaken in the dash for Dartford Tunnel; out-rushing the rush-hour traffic." Nice work.

 

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on
Thank you Luigi, glad you could identify ;)

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on
Hi NWB. Born in East London of Irish parents, finished my education in Ireland and live here now. Have worked around Europe; Belgium, Holland, Germany, Cyprus, England, Northern Ireland and Eire. Live on the West Coast of Ireland in the arsehole of nowhere. Bred like a rabbit (7 kids) until we got Sky TV - now watch sports and the history channel instead, not as much fun but cheaper in the long run.;)

Submitted by sarah wilson on
Great poem. Things obviously hadn't changed much ten years on (my era). Also loved the bio above - so if we introduce sky tv globally we should end over population. Sarah x

Submitted by Cavalcader on
HELLO! RE LONDON MONDAY MORNING BRILLIANT THE RASHERS AND BACON,EGGS REMINDS ME IF WE GET AWAY. 1ST THING HUBBY GOES FOR 7 DAYS BREAKFAST BACON,EGGS,MUSHRROMS. YES MEMORIES TONY BLACKBURN THE KINKS WE HAD RECORD ONCE. DARTFOR TUNNEL ALWAYS BUS ON OUR CHURCH TRIP OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM SHRINE TRIPS COACH. BOB DYLAM WELL? THE ANSWER IS BLOWING IN THE WIND" WE WERE A BIG FAMILY SLOT T.V WIND UP RECORD PLAYER. LOVED DUSTY SPRINGFIELD. JULIE ANDREWS. OVER 5O USED SING DANCE SOME INSTRUMENTAL MY BELATED MUM USED HAVE A NICE VOICE. HOPE YOUR IN WORK SOON WELL IM O.A.P HAVING GO FROM WRITING GROUP HOMELESS. DO ALL KIND THINGS TAUGHT. AND DEVELOPE FURTHER THERE. BOOKS FREE FILM. SOME GET OSCAR WHEN ALL IS DONE JUST AMAZING. ESPECIALLY ME GET COMMENT AND THE READINGS MY WORD I AM SO GREATFUL TO YOU ALL JENNY WAS 1st ONE? (m) OVER 30 years my KIND POEM MY DEAR LORRAINE IS OUR DAUGHTER WHEN SMALL. SO PUT ON ABC NOW. C

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on
Well Sarah, TV killed off a lot of the things people used to do; social interaction, healthy playing for the kids, reading - for a lot of people. Massive effect in Ireland which was - in my opinion - much more socially orientated. Thanks for reading Sarah ;)

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on
Thanks Cavalcaderl, glad you liked and could identify.;)

Submitted by pinda on
I liked this piece,even though I'm not from England lol.Very descriptive and I can imagine what it would be like living there.Now that takes effort mate,trying to get someone from the US to imagine London with poetry and you did it.Congratulations Chris.You eve been Amercia?,I would liek to see you do an American version if you know the US culture well. Anyway brilliant work mate,carry on the top work. P.s. Who is Tony Blackburn?

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on
Thanks pinda, appreciate the kind words. Never tried an American piece cos it would be based mainly on 'TV America' and that would probably be false. If I did a piece it would be from that perspective and might insult the natives lol. Might give it a shot, seeing as you asked - I can always blame you for it ;) Tony Blackburn was a DJ who started off on 'Pirate radio' and played the new 'pop' music of the time (back in the 60's). It was broadcast from a ship and called 'Radio Caroline' (the name of the ship was Caroline). If you google it, it will explain better than I. I have relations in America. One uncle (we used to call him 'The plastic Yank') went to America for six weeks in the 60's and came back talking like DeNiro out of 'Taxi Driver' lol. Anyway he went back and lived there and has been there for over forty years now, in New York. Thanks again for reading.

Submitted by pinda on
Cool.Yes,it would be wicked if you tried an American piece.Something different and harder considering it's based on your knowledge of the American culture. But I think if you tried you could be up for the task.

Submitted by threeleafshamrock on
Thought you would ID with this Nathan, being a London boy. Thanks for reading. ;)