Poetry for Education

As I have been alive for quite a long time, I have seen many changes in recent history, and as I was once told by my favourite teacher at school to 'write about what you know' so that is what I did.

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I think many older readers will relate to these poems and if you ask your parents, relatives, even grandparents, you might find out funny stories about their past.

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I have written many poems but these are three that I think most people would enjoy.

Outside Toilets

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Up until the 1970s, it was fairly common for people to have to use an outside toilet with no electricity, heating, or even toilet paper. You simply had a candle and some of yesterday's torn-up newspaper. They  were pretty scary places to go, especially for small children with big imaginations.

I hope you like this poem.

Have you ever seen one?

How do you think you would feel in such a place?

T'was sordid that thought

Midwinter handed a lit oil lamp

Glowing

Showing the way outside to the shiny black paint of the toilet door

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Lift the latch....clunk! as your eyes scoured the darkness the bushes

For bogeymen, trolls, and murderers.

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Place lamp on the window sill

Put small buttocks on the winter chilled toilet seat

Heartbeats at a quickened pace

As a small scared face gazes out

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Eyes foraging the white painted walls, for spiders and daddy long legs and anything that crawls

And flies 

And eats small, small children

Eyes down on two chubby little legs, distant from the floor

And go girl go!

As quick as you can

As the sounds and rustles blew outside are definitely 

The bogey man

He's coming after your guts and gore

Push little lady and try to be gone, before the doors ripped off its hinges

And you are dragged into the abyss

And they will all read about

The little lost Miss...

Latch Street Kids & Dogs

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Before coloured television when there was only three channels to watch, we played outside all day, getting filthy dirty, even playing in old bomb sites and building friendships that have lasted a lifetime. 

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We played Bulldog, Hide and Seek until the gnats (mosquitos) had full stomach's and only went in to eat our tea. Staying out until the street lamps came on, as that was when we were expected to return home.

When did the children stop embracing the wind in their hair?

Downhill racing, bright orange skies, with no due care

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When did they all go home and scrub up their smiles?

No longer free spirits to roam

With hours to while away with friends down by the railway track

Find a new hiding spot, sharing cheap wrapped snacks

Whispering secrets

And a fight for their space

What happened to good ole fashion dirt?

Smeared as a memoir, now

Replaced by sterile little ones, squashed, within dry stone walls Electrical wizardry, beats, muddied deflated balls

Why did the children decide now to stay at home?

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No longer free spirits, until dusk out to roam

No longer bicycles, skipping ropes, and girls chewing gum

High heels on tiny feet, impersonating mum

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No longer unkempt hair pursuing their friends

No longer blood brothers, promised to the end

Poor little ones gaze at a two-dimensional spot

Wish they'd step outside

Rosie cheeks, the vision that time forgot xxx

The Homefront

A poem based on two women at home in London during ww2. Whilst most men were actively fighting the women played a vital role in many areas back home taking responsibility for keeping the country going eg farming and factory work. This poem is about how even in the most trying times we are free to dream.

For my Nan x

(Please note this poem is for older children)

Mavis & Beryl Refined

So whilst the golden fire displayed nature in her prime

And oak trees stood proud and good in a regimental line

Dancing silhouettes tinkered, creating a wondering swaying scene

Mavis in rollers, upon her mop, she had chose to lean.

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A smelly ***  she held in hand as a lady at a ball

Dreaming of Sherry and taffeta, turning the heads of all

Fingers extending as though she were the aristocracy

When up popped Beryl the girl next door 'D'ya wanna a cuppa Tea?'

Mavis took a puff, then a breath, then left her world of mind

Said 'Oh aye duck, I'd like that, you are so very kind!'

She stubbed it out, laid her mop then trotted up the path

Round to Beryl's for a cuppa tea and a Ruddy good laugh!