We Were Young

CHILD OF THE SIXTIES

What do I remember from when we were young?
I remember the days were sun-filled and long…

I remember the rhythm of an old-fashioned train,
The smell of cut grass and pavements after rain,
Jumping to avoid the cracks, ‘A Leg and a Wing to see the King’
The dizzying roundabout, the thrill of a swing.

The grumpy park keeper with fearsome litter spike,
Gravelled palms and knees from falling off a bike,
Go-carts with pram wheels and carpeted seats,
Playing ‘Cowboys and Injuns’ out in the streets.

To school in the smog, with scarf over face,
Open fire in the classroom, chalking on slate,
Blotting paper bombs sticking inkwell lids,
Chewing gum, stale and grey, hastily hid.

Walking through nettles, waist-high, for a dare,
Swapping collector cards, scrumping hard pears,
Shelling peas on the step, long summer nights,
Unfair early bedtimes, while it was still light.

The rag-and-bone man with his horse and cart,
Baker’s delivery van, custard tart,
Lingering at the sweet shop, not sure what to pick,
A blood-stained ‘Jubbly’ sticking to cold lips.

Superman comics, Batman and Robin,
Co-op delivery boy bringing Mum’s shopping,
Discovering cats scratch and you’re scared of big dogs,
And the jelly of frogspawn turns into frogs.

Country picnics with neighbours and friends,
Taking primus and table, deckchairs, odds and ends,
Laughing when someone falls flat in a cowpat,
Or a deckchair collapsed wherein someone fat sat.

All this I remember from when we were young,
When life was a melody and our limbs, young and strong,
Took us on adventures to discover things new –
Me, my brother and my best friend, you.

Child of the Sixties, freedom to roam,
Bouffants, The Beatles, and Mother at home.