His ‘little sparrow’ he called me.
He was my secret. Mummy said
not to talk to strangers, so I never did...
just sat beside him on the bench
in the park. He was there every day
for ages, come rain or shine.
He whittled things out of driftwood...
turtles, rabbits...miniature horses.
One time he made a giraffe
but its head broke off, and I laughed.
And then, he simply stopped coming,
and I never saw him again
but, very often, he’s on my mind...
and I’m there amongst the chippings;
me, his little sparrow and he – my poem.
Comments
Highhat | January 9, 2012 - 19:59
I liked this- it was innocent wasn't it? I was a bit afraid in the beginning.
;)Pia
Highhat | January 9, 2012 - 20:58
Tina could you help me with this: What does GCSE stand for- General Certificate something?? It must be the final exam at school isn't it? How old are you? Is it the same as A-levels? Thanks- does it give access to Uni?
;)Pia
blighters rock | January 9, 2012 - 21:53
Hi Tina,
Sad but beautiful at the same time. It's moments like this that I remember from my childhood sometimes, simple but memorable little chinks of adventure when nothing really happened, just a passage of time locked in the mind.
It got the feeling he was a decent man who'd lost his loved one.
Hi Pia, GCSE is equivalent to O level.
Silver Spun Sand | January 10, 2012 - 09:04
Hi there, Pia. Yes, indeed...as innocent as the day is long;-) Pleased you liked.
And speaking of days, have a good one;-)
Tina;-)
Silver Spun Sand | January 10, 2012 - 09:12
Hi again, Pia;-) As to your question, I think blighter's, bless him, as beaten me to it. But, to reiterate, it stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, and students sit these exams when they are sixteen. They can then go on to study for their 'A' levels, (A = Advanced) two years later when they are eighteen. Depending on how high their grades are, and how many subjects they attain them in, will decide which University they may apply for.
I bet that is 'as clear as mud', but I hope you get the drift of it;-)
I am wondering how this differs from the system in Denmark.
Tina;-)
Silver Spun Sand | January 10, 2012 - 09:14
Hi there, Richard;-)
Pleased you appreciated this one for what it is...and what it is, you have summed up more than eloquently;-) In a nutshell, I'd say.
Many thanks for reading, and for your inspired words.
Tina;-)
Highhat | January 10, 2012 - 15:31
It doesn't differ that much Tina- at all- it is almost the same actually except that all the Unis use the same system of entry- No uni is "better" than the next though a lot of kids like studying in Copenhagen especially. But the higher grades you get the more easy it is to secure a University entrance, depending of course on which subjects you choose. Some subjects are more popular than others but as a rule you have to have pretty high grades to get into Uni and most other higher educations. Or you can also get in with work related experience- that helps some times too. Work experience gives a few points on the whole. That's how I got into Library School which is a bachelor degree.
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | January 10, 2012 - 15:56
Many thanks, for that, Pia. It's interesting.
I envy you, your degree and all, but it must have been a hard slog. Worth it, of course, hands down.
Funny, but I always wanted to be a librarian, either that, or a journalist, a ballet dancer, or, indeed, a poet. We may get older, but it seems, deep down inside, we stay the same. In the end though, I settled for a job with the Civil Service. Funny old life, isn't it?
There is indeed a Jesuit saying:- 'Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you the man' and I guess there is much truth in that;-)
Tina;-)
Highhat | January 11, 2012 - 06:52
Oh I just realized that I have misinformed you Tina- after the GCSE here you have 3 years of High School , not 2 as you have in England. I suppose our school system is a bit different then. You can take a course where you boil the 3 years down to 2 years, which I did but it is swatting all the time. Yes but it was fun studying to be a librarian. You get to cover so many subjects and work together in groups. Yes it was such fun and very fulfilling. Practicing your trade after having taken your degree is so fulfilling of course!
Well you did become a poet didn't you and a very good one.
;)Pia
seashore | January 11, 2012 - 11:07
Loved this! x
Silver Spun Sand | January 11, 2012 - 11:10
Thanks, Coral x
skinner_jennifer | January 11, 2012 - 11:44
What a wonderful memory Tina, I think it must have
been so fascinating to watch him working with the
driftwood.
My dad used to do marquetry, making pictures out of
wood, I used to love watching him cut out the shapes
and a picture would eventually appear, he had them
framed, I still have them to this day.
This poem, reminded me of that time.
Great read.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | January 11, 2012 - 12:05
I am so pleased this poem brought back fond memories for you, Jenny.
I have always wanted to be able to do 'marquetry'. You father must have been very gifted, and it is lovely you still have his pictures.
Tina;-)
Indrani Ananda | January 14, 2012 - 19:48
Indrani Ananda
This is both wistful and charming at the same time, Tina. I have a lot of people in my past like this, there for a little while and gone forever. Sometimes they steal into a daydream and you start to remember how long ago it was, and then with a shock, the awful truth - they must be dead by now. You have captured this beautifully.
Indrani.
Silver Spun Sand | January 15, 2012 - 11:33
How right you are, Indrani. Many thanks for reading and for your inspired words.
Tina