1976

Thinking back on days gone by, remembering
The rain that made the wipers swish, and the
Roaring splash of the tyres on the wet road.
Thinking back on days gone by, remembering
The smell of grass as the leather hit the willow
And the sun was so hot it burnt your legs.
Thinking back on days gone by, remembering
The dash reach the door before the raindrops
Soaked your hair, and then shaking the drops
Of the umbrella by opening and closing it.
Thinking back on days gone by, remembering
The way home-made ice-lollies became just
Ice by the time you got to the end.
Thinking back on days gone by, remembering

The ants that scurried back and forth, in and
Out of the cracks between the flags on the drive.
Thinking back on days gone by, remembering

Beach days, and park days, sandwiches and apples,
And tea from a vacuum flask that actually kept it hot.
Thinking back on days gone by, remembering

When life was promising, and lay before me, many
Roads to choose from, so much opportunity, so
Many chances to go wrong and throw it all away.

(c) 2ndwitch, 30/05/16

My thanks to Ray Hearne, whose song 'The Longest Hot Summer' inspired this poem. See http://rayhearne.co.uk 

Hush, and listen . . .

My voice is no louder than yours.
Sometimes it is very quiet.
But I still have things to say,
I still have an opinion.
You should listen to my opinion,
For it is valid, and just as relevant
As your opinion is.
Please do not try and shut me up.
I have something to say.
It is the small people, the quiet people,
The almost silent people, the ones on the margin,
The ones who dare not shout,
The ones who fear the blows of misfortune,
The ones who work to stand still;
These are the people who hold our world together,
And these are the people that need to speak up.
Together we have a voice.
Together we can be heard.
Do not try to shut us up, we
Have things to say.
When the people speak.