He haunted the lanes
on a daily basis,
he scared us all
yet, we made fun of him,
he knew it
but didn't take much notice.
His shouts announced his presence
long before we saw him,
then they would subside
to a steady hum;
Herhummm herrrhumhumm hummm.
We would run off and hide…
His step matched the rhythm of his voice
poor bugger
he really had little choice,
he had to get from A to B
using the lanes it would
be just us kids he would have to see .
While we, well we were scared,
yet so bloody cruel
tormenting the man
on our way to school.
We would follow at a distance
copying him;
when he grew silent
we would shout out
“ come on sing”
He would turn, shaking his fist
while we stood back and took the piss!
Yes, he haunted the lanes
all those years ago,
with Tourette’s,
now, I know…
These days,old,
suffering a tremor.
When hearing the kids snigger
I turn cold
and remember…
Comments
lenchenelf | February 5, 2009 - 11:54
Nice write, we all learn, I remember a child affectionately nicknamed after the song "Little Sir Echo" in the mid 60's..who the heck knew of echolalia or the perceptual processing differences. atb L
jennifer | February 5, 2009 - 12:20
Children are so cruel! Wonderfully remembered! Poor old boy!
J x
Silver Spun Sand | February 5, 2009 - 16:25
Val - this is so poignant. I found it extremely moving. Brilliantly written.
Tina xx
russiandoll | February 5, 2009 - 17:56
This makes me remember cruel things I said and did as a child too... a real pause for thought.
shoebox | February 5, 2009 - 19:05
There's something special about this write. Maybe poignant, already mentioned, is the right word for it isn't quite sad nor cheery. Well done I'd say.