INGRID AND THE GO-CART.

TWO BOYS AND A GIRL AND A GO-CART IN 1950S LONDON.

Two sets of pram wheels
a plank(some kid's dad
brought that)

a wooden cross beam
a nut and bolt
to hold

the cross beam
in place
a piece of rope

(Ingrid gave that
an old skipping rope)
an orange box

and the go-cart
was ready
by the bike shed

and Jimmy said
I best drive it first
as I'm the eldest

ok
you said
Ingrid said nothing

she looked at Jimmy
hands in her
cardigan pockets

biting her lip
Ingrid supplied the rope
you said

she deserves
a ride too
sure sure

Jimmy said
climbing
into the orange box

and taking up the ropes
into his hands
right you push

he said
I brought
my mum's prop stick

Ingrid said
you can push with that
she pointed

to a long pole
by the shed door
yes ok

Jimmy said
so you took up
the pole and placed it

in the back
of the plank
and began to push it

through the Square
Ingrid stood watching
as you pushed

the go-cart
at running speed
on on

Jimmy said
and he steered
the go-cart

around the Square
as you ran faster
then let go

and the go-cart
went at its own volition
and you walked

and stood by Ingrid
will he let me ride it?
she asked

he will
you said
or I'll not

push him again
you watched
as the go-cart

slowed down
and Jimmy drove it up
to the bike shed

where it came
to a stop
why'd you stop pushing?

he asked
couldn't push any faster
you said

it needs constant pushing
he said

I'm not a machine
you said
he sat looking

at Ingrid
she can push
he said

she's a girl
you said
I can push

she said
and she took the pole
and shoved it

at the back
of the plank
and began to push it

off as best she could
with Jimmy steering
along by the sheds

and off once more
into the Square
and you watched

her push
her hands tight
around the pole

her legs running
as fast as she could
and there

as she ran
and her skirt rose
you saw red marks

on her thigh
her old's man work
you said with a sigh

then it was gone
as she ran down
the slope

and out of sight
with the sound of Jimmy
cheering her on.

Reviews

[Penlady]

Your poetry weaves fine golden webs with details clear as crystal raindrops hanging after the rain...each one contributing just a little more illumination to the tale....

to answer your question...I did...my sis and I built go carts all the time...my dad was an auto mechanic and we liked to surprise him with our creations...yes! old carriage wheels...wooden crate bodies and then my son and his friends and my grand children..I am so happy that all my kids had a traditional "bringing up," with loving dads and paps to embellish their lives and make a fuss about their creations! Much like YOU and yours!

Another wonderful tale...it is fascinating how you bring the undercurrent to "prop," your stories up into a different realm...with details like red marks on the girl's thighs!

[Terry Collett]

O dear Pen Lady. I am so pleased that you and your sis did this too. A forgotten art. My mother was a wonderful lady( passed away in 2012 aged 91) she allowed us freedom with a motherly careful eye and never resorted to the kind of punishments some kids got. Thank you for reading. God bless