Vanessa’s parties – always spiffing;
strawberry tarts and custard trifles,
liquorice allsorts, wrapped in doilies.
Vanessa – beaming in the doorway;
golden curls with lime-green hair-band,
leads me round the heaving hall-stand.
Detour Uncle, crash with Auntie.
“Spot on time for Pass-the-Parcel.
Come on Harry – join the circle!”
“Sit by me!” yells sweet Vanessa.
Skin that smells of Parma Violets;
breath that reeks of sherbet lemons.
Never was I more enchanted.
“Take your partners for a Polka,
dance until it’s five-past teatime.
Come on kiddies – let’s get prancing!”
Vanessa’s won my heart completely,
as she canters, pigtails swinging,
patent shoes and party-frock.
Miss the sideboard, dodge the table.
“Steady you two! Take it easy.”
Vanessa says she really likes me –
says she knows somewhere that’s cosy,
so I meet her in the cupboard,
deep beneath the passage stairwell.
Much too old for Ring-a-Roses;
not old enough to go proposing.
Just the sound of two hearts beating –
a taste of love, however fleeting.
Love too real for stolen kisses
as she whispers, “Be my friend, please.”
Shame the evening has to finish.
Farewell handshakes from her father;
thank him for a smashing party.
Home again – bath-water steaming,
lazing in the tub and dreaming.
Mother reads a bedtime story,
cuddles me and says, “Sleep-tight.”
Vanessa is the girl I’m holding...
as she smiles and kills the light.
Comments
threeleafshamrock | January 14, 2010 - 01:24
Wonderful capture. I knew Vanessa, only her name was Angela and thank God for the cupboard, under the stairs; whatever happened to them? Really enjoyed this that for some silly reason, made me feel very young again ;) Thanks for this one Tina.
Chris XXXX
Silver Spun Sand | January 14, 2010 - 08:44
You are more than welcome, Chris;-) And speaking of the cupboard under the stairs, ours was where my nan kept her coal and so it was nicknamed the 'coal-hole'. I can still smell it today.
Thanks so much for reading and I'm glad you enjoyed it...after all, they say you are as young as you feel. If only;-)
Tina xxx
MistakenMagic | January 14, 2010 - 10:08
Wonderfully atmospheric, Tina. A brilliant tale of young love ;) You capture the character of Vanessa so well - and as always the narrator is wonderful! 'Be my friend, please.' Oh my heart was breaking! Beautiful, beautiful poem!
Magic xxx
shoe | January 14, 2010 - 10:17
ah, first love...
wonderful poem, love the parma violets and serbert lemons, and the "love to real for stolen kisses"
A gem Tina,
Silver Spun Sand | January 14, 2010 - 10:45
Pleased you liked this one, Magic;-) Many of my childhood memories in this one, as you may well imagine. Go careful in that snow and ice now...please.
Tina xxx
Silver Spun Sand | January 14, 2010 - 10:54
Ah yes, Shirley. Times have changed much since the days of Postman's Knock and Murder in the Dark, but the essence is still there, no matter what party games they play these days;-)
My thanks to you for reading. Glad you enjoyed.
Tina
kheldar | January 14, 2010 - 11:16
Great poem Tina, you capture the atmosphere and the emotion perfectly :--)
Silver Spun Sand | January 14, 2010 - 11:50
Kheldar - so pleased you thought so. My thanks to you;-)
Tina
SteveM | January 14, 2010 - 12:34
Beautifully observed piece Tina. Takes me back a few decades to a more innocent era.
Steve
Silver Spun Sand | January 14, 2010 - 13:24
Steve - your lovely comment means a lot;-) Much obliged to you.
Tina
Nathan Bednarek | January 15, 2010 - 00:02
Reminds me of the good old days when things weren't so complicated ;-p
A very beautiful poem. The atmosphere is great and overall this is a very enjoyable read. Well done.
Nathan xox
Cavalcaderl | January 15, 2010 - 00:17
new Silver-spun-sand
Well enjoyed all of this,brought
back too so many memories,lemon
sherbets,parma violets, the Stair
cupboard at home spooky, one here
as well.Pin the donkey tail etc;
really good.
julie X
Silver Spun Sand | January 15, 2010 - 08:58
I know what you mean, Nathan;-) Most of us would give anything to go back there again.
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for letting me know.
Tina xox
Silver Spun Sand | January 15, 2010 - 08:59
I thought you might identify with this, Julie. Glad it brought back some fond memories for you.
Tina x
tcook | January 15, 2010 - 10:52
Ah, Virginia Smith, whatever happened to you?
Silver Spun Sand | January 15, 2010 - 11:02
;-)
Cavalcaderl | January 15, 2010 - 15:52
new Silver-spun-sand
Big cherry! of course
on a great poem.
julie x cavalcader ):-
Beeme | January 18, 2010 - 18:33
Sorry I'm late commenting Tina. Another brilliant atmostpheric poem, packed full of wonderful imagery :-)
I love this line;
'Just the sound of two hearts beating –
a taste of love, however fleeting.'
Beeme xx
Silver Spun Sand | January 18, 2010 - 19:26
Beeme - please don't even think about apologising. I am so grateful always when you can find time to read my stuff and on this as on every other occasion, I say a great big thank you;-) So pleased you enjoyed it. Hope you have a good week;-)
Tina xx
Silver Spun Sand | January 18, 2010 - 19:27
Julie - thanks;-)
Tina x