Life for most of us, child,
ain’t no bowl of cherries;
no strawberries or jelly,
no ice-cream neither.
Sometimes it’s them greens
it’s brimful of. You needs
to eat them though –
them’s good for you.
Thems don’t taste nice, it’s true,
so all the while you’s eating them
you’s wondering what’s for afters.
I ain’t got no crystal ball,
but believe it or not,
I was once a nipper too.
“Manners maketh man,” they preached,
and woman, come to that.
“Ain’t polite,” they said, “It just ain’t done
to spit it out.” Meat with that gristle,
nor fish with them bones.
Don’t let that pretty face be streaked
with tears now, and remember this,
sweet Emmaline...even them cherries,
them’s got them stones.
Comments
jennifer | June 14, 2009 - 22:21
My Dad always runs into trouble when Mum puts both cherries and red grapes in his fruit salad...
Can anyone else hear Forrest Gump's Mum in this?
Great poem, Tina!
J x
Silver Spun Sand | June 14, 2009 - 22:30
;-)
Tx
Jupiter | June 15, 2009 - 06:30
For some reason I found myself wanting to see you perform this piece - perhaps it's the language - it's just so different from all of your other pieces I have read - who knows. Seems to have far more depth than I can fathom - maybe that's its charm for me? Very intriguing ;-)
sarah wilson | June 15, 2009 - 07:54
Wonderful drawl. 'Manners maketh man' was a phrase told to me often when I was growing up. Another great poem Tina.
Sarah x
MistakenMagic | June 15, 2009 - 09:59
This poem has such a fantastic voice Tina, I can hear it so perfectly ringing in my ears! Loved the last line - everyone seems to be writing about cherries at the moment! I might have to bow to peer pressure and write one too ;)
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | June 15, 2009 - 14:04
Hi there, Jupiter. Appreciate your dropping by.
I agree with you...this piece really does cry out to be read aloud. I did just that to my other half, and he wasn't impressed. I can hear in my head what I ought to sound like, but it comes out all wrong. Must practice.
This poem was in fact originally inspired by ABC quite a good few years ago now. Over the years it has matured and just yesterday I was finally happy with it. (For now, at least)
Glad you liked it and thanks for telling me.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | June 15, 2009 - 14:08
You're right, Sarah about that wonderful southern drawl. Can't speak like it for the life of me, but I can hear it so clearly when I read it to myself.
So pleased you liked it and I appreciate your lovely comments.
Tina x
Silver Spun Sand | June 15, 2009 - 14:14
My thanks to you, Magic and I hope your studies are going OK.
Yes, when you have time that is, you must add your 'take' on cherries;-)
Tina xxx
Nathan Bednarek | June 15, 2009 - 21:10
Hehe, this is lovely, dear Tina, I really enjoyed reading it! The accent sound a bit Scottish, mixed with Cockney ;-)
A very charming poem. Well done.
Nathan.
Cavalcaderl | June 16, 2009 - 15:38
Well done Silver-Spun Sand Love lines "Sweet Emaline" especially don't let that pretty face be streaked with tears now ah!ah! and even those cherries have stones! I thought deserved cherry I'M right. I have reput on Oh for a bed the the homeless. ok I think words gone now. julie thankyou
Silver Spun Sand | June 17, 2009 - 17:50
Nathan - you have such a way with words;-)
Glad you enjoyed it.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | June 17, 2009 - 17:52
Cavalcaderl - thank you so very much. I had a feeling you might like this one;-)
Glad you sorted out your 'bed for the homeless'. Am going to take a look right now.
Tina
sunshine | June 17, 2009 - 20:12
This is great - it just forces you to read 'in character'. Nice work. Margot
Silver Spun Sand | June 17, 2009 - 22:58
My sincere thanks to you, Margot. Much appreciated.
Tina
Curse of 222 | June 18, 2009 - 00:13
i always seem to be a few days behind on your work, so everyone gets in all the good comments first. this is a very enjoyable read. i had no choice but to read it aloud (kinda under my breath. don't need the family thinking i've totally lost it)and it works so well. you should get this read on abctales radio...it would be great!!!
jason
Silver Spun Sand | June 18, 2009 - 07:46
Jason - thanks so much;-) Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, this would be a great poem for the radio. I shall have to practice...hard!!!
Tina
Cavalcaderl | June 18, 2009 - 08:13
Hi! Silver-Spun-Sand Iv'e just lost all I put to you.well done.Computer on the blink last night would'nt do as it was told.So stuck on chair a while. and nothing gets done here. surely if we pull a poem,story,prose to pieces it takes away the originality,? Jennifer would say switch off? sorry for that what do you think of poetic verses and story,prose, Titles of song someone could make up Like. Silver-Spun-Sand can't THINK OF ONE, DIRECTIOANRY SAYS sILVER SAND= PURE SAND is used for gardening,iVE learnt something wow. no I could'nt do A.B.C Words A Come Out Backwards? some mine are and others "The midnight special".shine a light on me.
I'm crying in the rain" "Down by the riverside" I could have danced all night" "Silence is golden" "Where have all the flowers gone" "I love tO Go A Wandering" "MAGIC MOMENTS" "Happiness" do you get my meaning? must go. julie bless you