There I was going to the shop
three escalators to the top
I went over to the corner
to buy some pumps
Three pairs
all with wrong sizes on
so small I wondered
what was wrong
Sat on the polished seat
that was far to low
pulled my boots on
I slid landed on the floor
paid for my purchase
and made my way
out the door
Onto the bus
shaken bruised
of course
Got indoors
I took out what I had bought
A elasticated bangle
with all coloured balls
Alternate pearls then a washer
and another brown ball
one big and one small
I cut the tag
oh! dear
it went through
all the elastic
as one by one
the balls dropped through my knees
onto the floor
I was almost ready to go out
with my waistcoat and trousers
to match and sequin music notes on
Striped jumper and necklace
with cherries
so I changed the bracelet
to my red little stones elasticated one
Ray only took me to the Komedia
hoping to hear
The "Catfish Kings"
of the old time rock 'n' roll and jive
but ages before they performed
A candle lit at each table
I saw friend's I knew
also a free Jive lesson
Tom the great jiver had said
but it went on and on
A lady came over
must have been a teacher
as I had no partner
she taught me steps
But oh!
my small stone red bracelet
had caught in her jumper
what next
We were taught to grip tight
a man came over must been from the team
but my expanding ring cut into his finger
did't he scream
As I was leaving early
a doorman had stamped my wrist
I couldn't think
what's! this
I chatted to an elderly couple
when they danced
her spectacles came of
The leader Tom came over
I was in clover to have a jive
but I had drank
my lemonade shandy down
ready to go home
He was a good mover
the lights were low
as I was twisted around
The sole of the pumps
sticking to the floor
One move his arm goes up
and over around my neck
down the other arm
I thought I am doing fine
One small lemonade shandy
had gone to my head
I'd taken my rings off to jive
I ended up the otherside
The band was very good
I wish they started early
played some songs I knew
one called cherry ripe
and Oh Boy
All I wanted was a small corner
to bop on my own
but they started line dancing
so creot out alone
I asked someone to show me from
the basement how
I could get out to the top
it was quite dark
I couldn't take much more
but got out to early out side
no Ray there
so I got first quick bus home
Phoned him when I got in
he had got off the bus
and gone short cut
I wanted to swear
I had to laugh nothing had gone right
as I wanted to hear
The "Catfish Kings" play
they didn't start till late
If only I wore my cherry brooch
and my cherry bag
not the sparkly one
that seemed to catch
I climbed into bed
to put out the light
the lady of the lamp!
standing there
Holding in one hand
a basket of cherries red
and a feather in her hair
A brown red setter by her side looking up
as hoping to see the cherry drop
hanging from her other hand
I put out the light
and said balls to the lot
maybe a cherry brandy
if there is a next time
all comments greatly appreciated.

Comments
Highhat | November 23, 2010 - 08:20
That was a a disaster with all the things you had bought. This is in very short form - hurried- a bit difficult to read but I got the picture about the cherries for the IP.
;)Pia
skinner_jennifer | November 23, 2010 - 10:20
Wow Julie,
what an eventful day and night you had.
Great to read your poems.
Jenny.
Cavalcaderl | November 23, 2010 - 12:01
Highhat
Hello! yes sometimes life goes
like that,thankyou comment.
Yes I have tried to re-phrase it.
There already been lady on the pavement tripped
over,couple helping, so I bent and held her hand,that could be "Florence Nightingale" The lady with the lamp Then went to pay articles,one person medics seeing too,the man on the floor,right where you pay?
Did you guess it is a statue lamp shade,as I have
described,cheap Brighton once got.
Plus weeks of a drastic time here,all done and warm? now.I enjoy reading your's expert.
Had a break,so typing rusty!
How is this now.I had no cherries on jumper,they were long pearls really,etc double row colours.
The band only played Oh Boy.So wangled all in.
Ive been in the upstairs,with Aged concern group
never down,all changed around now.See what you think.
Hope your well.
Julie x
Cavalcaderl | November 23, 2010 - 12:20
New skinner_jennifer
Oh! your comments is so kind,
I have asked for comments please,
as it is a bit long,and twisted all
in,but re-changed it as some say difficult
mentioned to read it, or maybe understand
to read.But explained the statue if lamp by
my bed,just like I described,and Florence
Nightingale bit,she helped all she could.
What do you think,paper said dress up 1950's 60's
and put your dancing shoes on,so did.I usually jive
on my own, or differently int hose times young lad lived near me luch hour to "Your nothing but a houndog,Blue Suede Shoes. Wind up gramaphones then good,change each time records.CD etc;now and DVD.
complicated.
Thanks love all your's.Have to share the computer.
Lucky to find anything after turmoil here,lovely and warm now.
julie x all the best.
MistakenMagic | November 23, 2010 - 12:40
Your poems always have such life in them, Julie! I really enjoyed reading this - although I hope you have better days soon :)
Magic xxx
Highhat | November 23, 2010 - 13:05
I'm so glad that you have a warm home now- you deserve it Julie and yes you are very vivacious- that is the life in your poems- seems hurried but that's just you- keep up the good work and keep writing.
;)Pia
Highhat | November 23, 2010 - 15:33
I am not pleased with my pseudonym and neither is Insert but we can't change them- it doesn't matter that much Julie. If you feel that the bad times want to get out of you then write about them though I do like you being so lively- its such fun all the good things that you do for everyone. Great.
tea time
cheers- keep well
Pia ;)
fatboy74 | November 23, 2010 - 18:21
I absolutely love the phrase 'balls to the lot', my gran used to say this and I think I will use it more often - it is pretty perfect for the rollercoaster you have described - well done. :-)
celticman | November 23, 2010 - 20:47
Hi, lots of cherries in your work. Well done.
Cavalcaderl | November 23, 2010 - 21:03
New MistakenMagic
Hi! your so kind,such lovely words,
coming from someone so talented as you.
But everyone has a tale to tell.Life is
never the way I put it,it's what I have
done already,and achieved also with all of you.
Good luck,and keep on writing,not dancing as they say tv.Life can be gloomy or bright it is different
world each day.Many thanks.If I listed all I have done,I don't think I would get one cherry,so I will
keep umm.Durham have I spelt it right,in a hurry,and cafe near bridge and river great,glad things picking up for you fast.
all the best love your poems.
julie xxx
Cavalcaderl | November 23, 2010 - 21:27
New Highhat
Very difficult time of course,we both not well
with the cold,waiting.All went wrong,perfect now.
As said to MistakenMagic, who got me get,my real
first cherry! brooch on line Amazon. It is only with
all things now have done,imagination,things true of life.And all the helper's all on here.Editor T.Cook
AbcTales, I nearly gave up long time ago.If I made a list,of all things medically,done for me,when I couldn't do a thing.I am so proud not big headed,better life they ever can be. But never would or can tell my tale on here.So I have empathy now for all,maybe an agony Aunt.So I try bring in colours,and scenes, although I don't know poetry like
some of you,Belloc,Browning,Kipling,A.A.Mills and so on.And groups I joined, after many years,homeless day
centres groups all things,put into stories,poems from
objects and pictures,many things,ages from 16-80.paid.Good work to read their's.Then elderly groups
all finished to sheltered homes, we needed all this keep people going,Council cancelled all.
As I mentioned,they go in The Big Issue,at the top
headed AbcTales,any groups we did,singing,dancing,rap,poetry kind of,some instrumental,could act young never used,I said come on keep it up re-do something.Dress up and take a part. Two young men,filmmakers came 4 years,running for 3 months, room hired at Odeon shown all displayed,on large screen quite scary so large.I was cat poem "Green Eyes" amazed mask,tail,etc;they said put on, difficult to recite with bristle whiskers. Shame all finished them and me to.All got,hosts came, x The Bill Chris Ellison,x Joe Mangle neighbours,handed out certificates,and oscars to each one, no one better than anyone else.There little faces marvellous. Will delete,if boring or repeated myself.Always wanted to go there,then I couldn't.But one day in prayer I did.See Frank and couple knew in our elderly other groups.
Plus years later on,Celebrities I met.Although couldn't go far. So must go saying too much.
Must read more of your's and all.
"So come on and let's get happy".song.
all the best
julie x Cavalcader l is a mistake.
Cavalcaderl | November 23, 2010 - 21:56
New fatboy 74
Thankyou lovely comment,big family
not brought up to swear,never F word.
I was thinking of calling it rolling balls
Think someone has a title something like mine
Well your gran was right.Mine at first different
job used come home use F word most time,little one
was about two then,going back,been upstairs where we
were with two elderly ladies knew for cups tea,biscuits curling up in their beds.Known years
told me she said the F word,so naive I said "What
F for Freddy no,coul'd believe,just shows you they pick up things quickly.Not all cherries wer hear,some I wove into it,lamp is by my bed true!
Thanks again.
all the best julie x
Cavalcaderl | November 26, 2010 - 08:07
New Highhat,Thanks great comments
without the almighty,in my life,I was
a cabbage.Now shift talk,my belated Mum
got me in Cavalcade as extras, Theatre Royal Brighton.Not paid of course. She must been 80.
But many more good things happened good, and recently.My very very 1st poem came to me at The Holy Shrine Of Our Lady Walsingham,years ago fter many years,in days I couldn't sleep
talk walk,I realised it was me.
But richly annointed and
blessed started.Locked in pain,body mind and soul.
couldn't even turn over in bed many years.
When you can't sleep,walk or talk
or in despair.
kneel down and say a prayer
for he (god)
Made the heaven's
the earth and sea
and gave his life to you and me
Oh Magic Shrine you were mine,
when I came on bended knee
and told by god's healer
to shake the hand's of the Priest etc;
Very cold out to-night,half hour wait bus stop friend's birthday Frank.many years,joined me in everything,and another bus to get,so turned round and went home,as seen him yesterday.Ray mine is much younger captain of Snooker team, now retired not always by my side,different as two peas in a pod.No not accident prone,just things happen get over it.Let's just say for me,I have to be careful what I put on here and leave it all to rest+ if we forgive it's forgotten,one always kind of remember.
involve too many?ok.
I have only been on AbcTales a year
Thankyou so much.Keep smiling.
all the best julie x
Nolan | November 27, 2010 - 14:13
I’ve discovered something interesting Julie: If one takes out the paragraph breaks your poem is a great deal easier to read. Probably because the whole poem is really one story. Maybe you should experiment on a few and look how they come out?
Could be tricky though, it could work out looking the same style as your comments, so maybe first write it like this the same way and then remove the breaks, so in the end it is not divided into stanza’s.
You could become an embarrassment to Uncle Ray if you keep on overdoing things like this,
“One small lemonade shandy
had gone to my head
I'd taken my rings off to jive
I ended up the otherside”
Sounds like you had a roaring time. We live only once! +&
Cavalcaderl | November 29, 2010 - 23:02
New Nolan
Thankyou so much might try that.
But have to be in full controll
doing it,if I put into stories have to
put in the wording in between so doesn't rhyme make it not run,also punctuation can;t do. No Ray never reads or nterested, has tv on so, maybe put cotton wool in my ears,to concentrate. I agree they are long,
but trying to work it out.
Like my comments definitely to long.
But some seem like reply,chat!
Thanks for all suggestions. No bad evening
catastrophe's, think spelt it right. No Ray,snooker.
keep warm, I will take it on board as X factor
contestants say. Where has your work got to.
julie xx
Nolan | November 29, 2010 - 23:55
& Am working thanks Julie!
Nolan | December 2, 2010 - 19:11
I’m also sharing a computer. It’s a nuisance. Stuff gets mixed up. Embarrassing sometimes. Looking over your shoulder all the time. On top of that the thing is now finally packing up. Can’t work half the time. Pushing on regardless.
Good luck that side Julie. Needs must when the devil drives & Nolan
Cavalcaderl | December 2, 2010 - 19:36
new Nolan
Thanks comment,sorry computers packing
up,our's goes all peculiar sometimes,plus
I can't use all the tabs etc;on it.Weather
cars in small town,covered top to bottom.Are you
working then,good for you.No mine doen't breathe down my neck,is an expression. Just finding time and
thinking right,my IP tried five minutes, needs re-doing,sometimes poem come,be gone by morning,doing other things,not out too slippery.Are you covered by
heavy snow.Good luck.Hot drinks good.Hot toddy,relation used to make.
julie
Nolan | December 2, 2010 - 21:10
Not him. Never looks over my shoulder.