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Peace in Our Time

Posted by Silver Spun Sand on July 26, 2011 - 20:41
from the ABC set Silver Spun Sand Poems

I recall a doll’s house Dad once made
from a cardboard box; it had doors
that actually opened, and windows
hung with tiny blinds he’d sewn
himself, out of off-cuts. I remember
a clanky, Mobo scooter, and a leaky,
tin bathtub – our paddling pool,
in summertime. There was the pink
of calamine lotion – I always got
so sunburned, and my sister and me
kept caterpillars in a jam-jar, and knew
the secret path – led onto the alley,
where we’d meet the boy next door
who’d teach us things we had yet
to understand. I remember my nan,
wringing wet, over black-leaded stove,
stirring jam...wiping sweat with the hem
of her pinny – our once-upon-a-time,
kitchen curtains. There was no smell,
save a smell of blueberries; simmering.
No sound, except the cussing, under
her breath, and the silky, slip-and-slap
of her wooden spoon.

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Comments

Highhat | July 27, 2011 - 05:58

What beautifully vivid memories Tina. Much enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.
have a lovely Wednesday. (The sun's out here-thank goodness- finally!!)
;)Pia

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2011 - 06:54

Thanks, so much, Pia. Pleased you enjoyed;-)

It's a grey day here, but I'm hoping it will brighten up as it's my birthday today;-) A visit to the Butterfly Park on the cards.

Tina;-)

seashore | July 27, 2011 - 07:42

I love this and can relate to it also - particularly the doll's house as my Dad did the same for me!

Nice one, Tina!

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2011 - 07:58

Many thanks, Coral;-) My dad worked in a wholesale chemist and so there were plenty of boxes to spare.

Pleased you enjoyed and that it brought back good memories for you.

Tina;-)

skinner_jennifer | July 27, 2011 - 09:26

What wonderful memories Tina,

I think we were so lucky to have been young then.

Jenny.

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2011 - 09:38

I think so, too, Jenny;-) Thanks for reading, and have a sunny day.

Tina

Highhat | July 27, 2011 - 09:59

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tina- I certainly hope it clears up for you (here we say that you haven't behaved well the past year if it is cloudy and grey...!!! :D)
atb
;)Pia

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2011 - 10:18

Thanks, Pia...actually, thinking about it...the sun is just trying to peep out from behind the grey, so maybe I haven't been THAT bad after all;-)

Atb to you, too Pia, and some;-)

insertponceyfre... | July 27, 2011 - 16:14

this is lovely Tina - I really enjoyed your memories - and happy birthday too!

Silver Spun Sand | July 27, 2011 - 18:21

insert - you have 'made my day' as they say. Thank you, so very much, and it was a good day for the butterflies, too;-)

Silver Spun Sand | July 28, 2011 - 14:10

You are so right Richard. Couldn't leave the doors alone;-)

Tina

barryj1 | July 28, 2011 - 16:21

This poem reeks of atmosphere and has the feel of a wide-angle snapshot. The reader 'feels' his way with all five senses through the poem and comes away with a strong sense of what you experienced back then... the comfort, predictability, reassuring love, etc.

"There was no smell,
save a smell of blueberries; simmering.
No sound, except the cussing, under
her breath, and the silky, slip-and-slap
of her wooden spoon."

When the words and imagery jumps off the page and smacks you in the head, it doesn't get much better than that.

Silver Spun Sand | July 28, 2011 - 18:42

Thanks for looking at this one in such depth, barry. More than appreciated and I am really encouraged you gleaned so much from this. All that I had hoped;-)

Tina

Cavalcaderl | July 28, 2011 - 19:13

new Silver-Spun-Sand
Well deserved cherry!
a very happy birthday hope you had good time
Butterfly park. Only just got in, had go for walk and shop cheer! myself up! Bad day feelings.
Like the poem great full of images and memories.
Me too remember all those things, pop made all.
Mobo toy good memory is it the mojo stick. Warm out
treated myself tops. Mine watched Hannibal murder and I in room it was awful film, shakes one up.
I remember nan with black stove great, too milk pudding in oven, kettle on top fire of it.
Have a good week-end. I'll be off somewhere, things are on. Another big shop closing down.
Have a nice week-end
julie x

Silver Spun Sand | July 28, 2011 - 20:58

Julie - hi there;-) I had a lovely birthday, thank you, and I hope you are feeling better after your walk.

Those stoves were amazing weren't they. Especially with the flat irons on top of them, ready for action when required.

Pleased you enjoyed and thanks for your lovely words. More than appreciated;-)

Tina xx