Never Say Die
Category: blog
‘Memories, like the corners of my mind.’ I don’t know about you but I have no idea what shape my mind is and whether it even has corners. But it certainly has pockets that, when dipped into, are chock full of memories. Here are some that I’ve found.
NEVER SAY DIE
Holidays at Camber Sands. Candyfloss and sandals.
Shillings for the meter. Stacks of Prices Candles.
Coalmen carrying heavy sacks, coke and coal upon their backs,
Their hands and faces midnight black. For me they’ll never die
Free school milk and toffee apples. Walking home in smog.
Early morning paper rounds – fear of barking dogs
Radio from Sunday noon. Two-Way Family Favourite tunes.
And Round the Horn – the arch buffoons. How could they ever die?
Tommy Cooper’s bungled tricks. Henry Cooper’s ‘ammer.
F.A. Cups at Wembley. Ronnie Barker’s stammer.
Wimbledon – no mobile phones. Sportsmanship without the moans.
Dan Maskell’s educated tones. I’ll never let them die.
Massive oaks and lush green grass. Horses pulling carts.
Milk floats filled with rattling crates. Pubs with beams and darts.
At five on Saturday in his chair, Dad would check his pools with care
And dream of being a millionaire. Those scenes will never die.
Soft white snow on Christmas Day. Cricket on the green.
Balaclava’s, Burton’s suits. Trains that spouted steam.
All the memories on my list have brought me joy. There’s some I miss!
But I’ll be free to reminisce. Until the day I die.
