We had it all, then;
‘the world – our oyster’.
At the time, though –
swept along in the tide
I don’t think you and I
even noticed.
Those fortnights
in Skegness; the caravan
we’d rent that leaked...
How, each July, we said
we’d go somewhere
better next year, yet
could never afford it.
Combing the sands
and the mud-flats,
searching for razor-fish
and crabs. The seaweed
went pop whenever
you squeezed it.
Forking out
for donkey rides,
they just had to have...
those big-dipper rides
that turned your face
green...Scrubbing tar
at bath-time
from tiny feet....
Extolling the delights
of jellied eels and whelks,
to squeals of disgust
as we’d watch you tuck in
like they were going
out of style.
It was what we were,
way back then, made
it, oh so precious.
A boy,and a girl,
a mum and a dad,
and seven goldfish
in a pond.
Comments
Rhiannonw | November 26, 2011 - 20:43
Happy memories! All put together very neatly as usual.
I've always liked the prayer of 'Give me neither poverty nor riches …' in Proverbs (30:12), like 'Give us this day our daily bread' I guess; though we so often have so many extras, but they so easily get all engrossing. Rhiannon
Silver Spun Sand | November 26, 2011 - 21:55
Rhiannon, it is always a treat to read your inspired thoughts. Thank you. And you thank you for liking;-)
Tina
gerardineanne | November 26, 2011 - 22:43
Gerardineanne
I am learning from you. Watching how you phrase and pace,paint the picture.Click!
Thankyou.
Silver Spun Sand | November 27, 2011 - 09:31
I'm really pleased about that, gerardineanne;-) Pleased you enjoyed and that it inspired you.
Thank you;-)
Tina
skinner_jennifer | November 27, 2011 - 14:33
Ah! those happy memories Tina,
this poem is so full of happy memories of love and
family holidays. I think you said it all in this
one.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope you are well and having a good weekend.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | November 27, 2011 - 16:11
Yes, indeed, Jenny;-) Pleased you liked and hope you're having a good weekend too.
Tina
sue dinum | November 28, 2011 - 19:21
Lovely sentiments as always, Tina - made me think of when our children were young. No matter what we had to pay out for in terms of bills etc., we always made sure our two had a holiday, even if it was just a caravan park type holiday camp, and we’ve had plenty of those. Thanks for bringing those memories back and I always admire your tiny details which bring things to life, like this:
The seaweed
went pop whenever
you squeezed it
Even I can remember picking those slimy things up off the sand or among the rock pools and popping those little air/water bubbles... funny things, weren’t they? Ah yes!
Much enjoyed.
sue
Silver Spun Sand | November 29, 2011 - 11:26
Pleased you got so much from this one, sue. My mum and dad scrimped all year to make sure we had an annual summer holiday. It must have been so difficult for them to afford it, and it is only when we look back, we realise the sacrifices that our parents made for us. Ah well, that's life I guess;-)
Many thanks, once again, for your lovely comment.
Tina;-)
hilary west | January 10, 2012 - 19:13
I love this one, it's a touching memory, and I love the ending 'seven goldfish in a pond', something nice that impinges on your family life.
Silver Spun Sand | January 10, 2012 - 19:24
Thanks for going back to this one, Hilary. Much appreciated, and I'm really pleased you liked it and took the trouble to tell me;-)
SSS