Flo's Flutter

By Silver Spun Sand

Thu, 02 Oct 2014
  • 609 reads
4 comments
 
An ocean of mixed rinses dazzles; 
outside it’s grey, as grizzled anoraks 
drift by, but in the hall it’s warm – 
as, pen in hand, Flo spreads her cards
before her like a florid fortune-teller.
 
“Eyes down, and we’re ready to roll!” 
stuns the serried ranks of tables –
troops set for battle as hush pervades; 
the cacophonous crackle of an errant
pack of Wotsits warrants an avid,
“Shut the fuck up!” 
 
“Let’s get this show on the road, ladies, 
and gent! Sunset strip – 77... and 2 little ducks, 
22,” as daubers daub, 19 to the dozen, 
while the odd, black square springs up, 
here and there, like missing teeth. 
 
Flo fiddles with a string of 50's  'poppits’ 
that fidget her neck, as familiar incantations 
set off her palpitations. “Unlucky for some, 13...
two fat ladies, 88...sweet 16, and never
been kissed, if you believe...
That’s a 1 and a 6.”
 
Then someone hollers, “Line!” as a member
of the elite, pink rinse brigade checks their card, 
and you could hear the proverbial pin drop,
as she OKs it with the caller.
 
Flo goes home to her small bedsit – dreams 
of winning, unrequited. A mug’s game, 
and she knows it...poorer by half, she is,
but all the richer for the company she craves; 
albeit for an hour – one day a week.
 
 
 
 
 
Certificate 12
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Philosophy

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

'while the odd, black square springs up, 

here and there, like missing teeth.' That's priceless! Sad and funny poem.

Enjoyed.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, Bee.  Funny, but sad, sums it up, nicely.

Tina

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

A wonderful narrative and great characterisation in this poem.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Many thanks, Philip.  Pleased you thought so. It was enjoyable, but quite a challenge to write, as you can probably imagine.

Tinasmiley