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Tamsin 🍂's avatar

I tried this - it’s not finished nor revised - it needs a banger of a last verse

The candle gutters puffing

sweet rhubarb and custard

mixed with smokey burnt wick

a scent from childhood

of four for a penny chews

pink and yellow wrappers

refusing to part completely

from the hard candy beneath

that threatened to crack teeth

the extra paper gummy on lips

And a gambolling cartoon

fluffy dog adventures with

a harassed cat watched on

a tiny black and white screen

the theme tune settling in for

a cosy ear worm

And an open fire below a

Copper hood, carefully tended,

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Jim Sanders's avatar

Ok, here goes:

My father is the only one

Who ever loved and cared for me

I was his oldest son

I was his pride and joy

He always worked

Helping me improve

When he rolled the car

Running from police

Avoiding a ticket

He took care of me

I was his only passenger

Bashed my head on the ashtray

On the back of the front seat

As cars were made then

No seatbelts then

Left with a big scar

On my forehead

Right across my widow’s peak

A sign of courage

I didn’t cry—that I remember

I was brave as I should

Because I now was five.

So why did he stop loving me

Why did he leave me at eight

Partying with three friends

Just a little alcohol

Returning from Mexican border town

Why did he leave me

Four dead, he was driving

Why did he leave me

Was I such a disappointment

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