not a glint of precious light
penetrated Nan’s backyard
not a hint of sunshine on a
spring day to warm caked earth
nor a blade of living grass
yet alone a flower head
only noise, the noise of trains
rattling past on arch tops
brickwork blackened by smog
and the sight of jaundiced nets
hanging from sash windows
that had seen cleaner days
yet flowers were beautiful
and in the front garden next door
an abundance of saffron crocus smiles
at age four not knowing better
not knowing they had been nurtured
she picked them, all of them
a posy for her Nan
all she can remember is the
punishment metered out, the shouts
of another and the neighbour crying
for her lost garden
no one understood that the flowers
were intended as a gift for someone
much loved who had no flowers
of her own
-
Author:
Cassie58 (
Offline) - Published: August 15th, 2024 06:09
- Comment from author about the poem: A lesson I never forgot. An old poem from another site. Pleasantly surprised to see its clocked nearly 9000 reads. Must be someone’s favourite :)
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 168
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, sorenbarrett, Doggerel Dave, Qurrathul Ain
Offline)
Comments14
You have brought back a thousand memories from home, neighbours in London in the 80's was one of my most cherished memories, how we were a community and how everyone just looked after everyone else. I can't tell you how much I'm smiling this is purely beautiful, your Nan, purely beautiful, I was born in south London so the noise in your poem has brought even sound my tiny back garden where we grew blackberries and honeysuckle grew, and most of all, what my dear mum used to tell me, she gave her step sister her last cigarette because she needed it more than my mum. I love this dearest Cassie. Thank you. 🌹
Thank you dear Teddy. Sorry for late response. I have had eye surgery. All good wishes 🌹
A wonderful write about the punishment of ignorance and good intentions that don't go as wone expected. Loved it.
Thank you so much Soren. I appreciate you.
totally beautiful poem
beautifully written
lovely words that tells a story
just amazing what a talent you have xxx keep writing
Thank you Jim. Eye surgery went ok. All the best.
glad to hear that you ok was thinking a about you today
when i was writing poem thanks for letting me know
get well asap cant do without my smile xxx
A fine write Cassie. That was me - I read about 8999 of the 9000 reads! heehee. (Did I?).
Thank you Orchi for the smile. All the best.
How often a child's innocence is lost because of foolish adults. So often children are treated with ignorance and are looked down upon when they are more brilliant and understanding than realized.
Thank you for this reminder of adult failure.
Thank you Thoughtless for your review. Much appreciated.
You are welcome.
A wonderful story, a great poem, what else can we ask for. Oh yeah, the story has a moral. Great stuff, Cassie.
Loved it. - Phil A.
Thanks Phil for a lovely encouraging review. Much appreciated.
A wonderfully polished piece with a great message, Cassie.
After the comments above there is little else to say, other than as a reminder that differing points of view can have equal validity in the eyes of the beholders, it makes more sense than my blather right here…. 😊
Thanks Dave for stopping by. Always good to hear from you. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.
How sweet this is. "an abundance of saffron crocus smiles" is so easy to conjure an image from. Very nice.
Many thanks Dan. Pleased you stopped by. All the best.
Wonderful words Cassie, those memories of our childhood showed us so many lessons we learned.
Andy
Thank you Andy. A lesson never forgotten. All the best.
Lovely sad write!✍️
Thanks for stopping by John. I appreciate you.
You always write beautifully but
there is an inordinate amount of beauty here Cassie ..
I imagine that's why these words are proving so popular .. here's to the next 900 .. Neville
Dear Neville, thank you for appreciating this poem about little me,who learned a big lesson at age four, never to be forgotten. I am so pleased you found some beauty in these words.
C.
Flowers do make every scenery beautiful, don't they?
Thank you so much for stopping by to read my poem. Much appreciated.
An intriguing story and the harsh lesson, but one's true intentions is what really counts.
I just learned from the comments below that you have just had eye surgery, I wish you a speedy recovery and welcome back my friend.
Thank you so much Saleh for stopping by and leaving your kind thoughts. My eye surgery went well thankfully and my sight is improving in my left eye. Have a beautiful day.
Truly beautiful. Great work.
Thank you so much Thomas. Happy Tuesday.
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