Convolvulus
That summer…
That summer
When Harold
Swann scored twelve sixes
Against Cherry Burton,
We cycled west
Where no one ever went -
Out beyond Hall Garth and St Faith’s churchyard
By hedgerows heavy with bramble blossom
And trumpeting convolvulus
All pink and pillow white like the candyfloss
At Hull Fair.
And we didn’t stop till we reached the river
Also named Hull - languid amid the reeds
As ginger cows and Friesians grazed lazily on
The other bank near Aike.
Supine under a Wedgwood blue sky,
We watched African birds cavorting,
Feasting on invisible insects.
Four miles distant
Against Cherry Burton,
We cycled west
Where no one ever went -
Out beyond Hall Garth and St Faith’s churchyard
By hedgerows heavy with bramble blossom
And trumpeting convolvulus
All pink and pillow white like the candyfloss
At Hull Fair.
And we didn’t stop till we reached the river
Also named Hull - languid amid the reeds
As ginger cows and Friesians grazed lazily on
The other bank near Aike.
Supine under a Wedgwood blue sky,
We watched African birds cavorting,
Feasting on invisible insects.
Four miles distant
As the famed crow flies,
Beverley
Minster’s towers
Wobbled in a jellied haze.
Later, in that long ago and honeyed afternoon,
We headed back across the carr land -
Me on my maroon Hercules
You on your green Raleigh -
Reaching Goosenook Lane
Under a still sizzling five o’clock sun
That seemed to beam kindly on everyone.
Wobbled in a jellied haze.
Later, in that long ago and honeyed afternoon,
We headed back across the carr land -
Me on my maroon Hercules
You on your green Raleigh -
Reaching Goosenook Lane
Under a still sizzling five o’clock sun
That seemed to beam kindly on everyone.
Those surely were the days my friend -
In truth, we thought they'd never end.
I'd lose "christened" (a bit clunky; how do you christen a river?) and the last two lines (point already made).
ReplyDeleteI struggled with those last two lines and I have taken your advice on "christened" which I had chosen because of its association with rivers. Was there anything you liked about the poem?
DeleteYes. Sorry, should have sweetened my points with appropriate encouragement. On poem as it presently stands I like most the opening, culminating in my mind with the "jellied haze."
DeleteI appreciated your boldness in suggesting changes. I am still not sure about the altered last two lines. It was good to get some thoughtful feedback. Thank you.
DeleteMuch of our boyhoods was sweet but we also had worries about growing up.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point - not addressed in this particular poem.
DeleteThat's pretty and brings visions to the mind of roads and flowers and rivers.
ReplyDeleteThe stages upon which our childhoods play out are all different.
DeleteNice. Would you really like to go back though?
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking that question Andrew. I have now changed the last two lines.
DeleteLong summer days being children and not a care in the world.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you could relate to it Thelma.
DeleteSummer is such a special time of the year. I hate winter.
ReplyDeleteI love the long days.
Delete"...we'd sing and dance forever and a day." We were outside having adventures all the time when we were children!
ReplyDeleteNow childhood is curtailed - made extra safe.
DeleteA moment in time with a childhood friend, the freedom of riding bikes on an all day adventure. Those were the days.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that this poem struck a chord with you Diaday. Thanks for reading it.
DeleteThat took me back to my far gone childhood. Sweet. But maybe Mary Hopkin and Paul McCartney should get some credit for your ending. 😉
ReplyDeleteI sometimes like to weave in references from pop culture. I happily give some credit to Mr McCartney and pray that he does not sue me.
Delete