She don’t need no milk,
not this morning; eight pints
still on the step.
The milkman raised the alarm.
It only took him ten days to fall in.
Queenie was alone in the world,
the last of the family line;
no friends to speak of.
Her old man died two decades ago; heart attack,
and her only son – just last year; lung cancer.
Forty he was; never left home. Knew
which side his bread was buttered.
Since then she’d kept herself to herself...
Except for me, of course –
when our paths crossed, she’d chat
of this and that; feeding crusts to the birds,
across the road from her flat.
It was a week ago last Thursday morning
they knocked on her door – pretended
they were from the Gas Board.
“Read your meter, love?”
She let them in – made them
a cup of tea, grateful for someone
to talk to. They tied her to a chair,
made off with all she had; a TV
and a biscuit tin where she kept
her rent money and her pension.
But they left her something in return;
two black eyes and a picture of a girl
in a ball gown – glass smashed.
A photo of their ruby anniversary.
And a marmalade cat who remained
at her feet; cold as the hearth he laid upon.
Or so I overhead.
Take it from me, I could tell many a story...
If only a park bench could.
Comments
chuck | May 27, 2009 - 22:49
Strong stuff. SSS at full throttle.
Silver Spun Sand | May 27, 2009 - 23:34
Thanks chuck;-)
pumadelta | May 28, 2009 - 04:51
The trusting nature of the elderly all to often is abuse. heavy piece.....
Silver Spun Sand | May 28, 2009 - 07:43
I thank you for reading and yes, you are so right, unfortunately.
Bradene | May 28, 2009 - 11:36
Pure Silver Spun Sand this. A cracking good story and a warning to us all. Well done Tina and good luck. Val x
Silver Spun Sand | May 28, 2009 - 13:41
Thanks so much, Val...and I wish you all the luck in the world with yours.
Tina xx
MistakenMagic | May 28, 2009 - 13:44
A chilling tale Tina, but one very well told! Good luck with the competition ;)
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | May 28, 2009 - 14:03
And thanks to you, dear Magic. Likewise, I too wish you luck with yours;-)
Tina xxx
threeleafshamrock | May 28, 2009 - 19:12
Wow, great stuff Tina and a unique approach to this competition. Right up until the end I wondered who the narrator was and where the park bench was ...duh!!
Brilliant and good luck with this 'chiller'.
Chris XX
Silver Spun Sand | May 29, 2009 - 07:56
My sincere thanks to you, Chris and may I take this opportunity of wishing you luck with your, as usual, inspired entries;-)
Tina
alessandro | June 6, 2009 - 16:21
Yeah I agree, very unique and addressing an issue that is all too common.
Good work
Silver Spun Sand | June 6, 2009 - 23:02
alessandro - I thank you so much for reading and for leaving such a positive cooment.
Tina
Cavalcaderl | June 22, 2009 - 22:16
new Silver-Spun-Sand ;) Thankyou all your brilliant help.5.a.m email congrats; back.? on ABC.'Angel Face'
been writing group telling them of my Cherry!.It was not in bin.
I like the line re;Red Dress. and I could tell many a story if only park bench could. GOOD LUCK. many times happening in the world. julie xx
Silver Spun Sand | June 22, 2009 - 22:54
Thank you, so very much, Julie. Nothing you ever write will end up 'in the bin.' It is way too important for that. And hey...good GOOD LUCK with your entry too. 'FAIRY DAINTY'. A smashing title.
Tina;-)