Doorsteps

(errands at seven for Grandad)

green palmolive soap never fails
to send a trail back to Albert
to remind me of errands sent
for delicious brown baked bread

errands i ran from his home
when as a child i knew
i was in a position of trust

pennies from a deep pocket
in trousers held high by grey
elastic braces which pinged
back to hit his perfectly snow
white sleeveless cotton vest

pennies which jingled inside
the palm of my hand
as I skipped to our corner shop

where before i got there
aroma of dough in an oven
would send me i swear
to my idea of heaven

so when our baker handed over
a loaf of hovis i suffered
yes suffered and succumbed
to tempting temptation

a nibble of one corner wouldn't hurt
it could have been a mouse
though that became two, three
and then the jackpot at four

so sheepish was i when i
delivered the goods expecting
a firm reprimand, yet it never came

Albert would smile
his pale blue eyes twinkled
like stars in the night night sky
and I knew he still loved me

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah the errant poetess returns! And with an elegant and touching piece of poetic flowing free verse nostalgia! Lovely and memory provoking. I did the same with my mums bread and she always sent me shopping. Sometimes with a few pennies to spend on myself.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks John. Ah those nibbled corners such a treat. I was given barley sugar sweets for going :) Can you remember them? Been a bit busy last few days. The outside world interfered with my poetry, how dare it. Thank you for visiting this piece of fond nostalgia.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah yes how could I forget Barley Sugars! Sort of 'Marmite' sweets.

[Chris Shaw]

Yeah, love or hate :)) Sweets for old men :))

[Jimmy Yetts]

A charming bit of childhood reverie.
Your poetry is top-notch; your perception, even better.
Certainly, Chris, Granddad was a treasure!

[Chris Shaw]

Aye, he was a treasure indeed Jimmy. Introduced me to poetry. Thank you for reviewing this nostalgic write.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

This melts my heart like a bit of butter on that freshly baked warm bread you just delivered I'd think that he would be disappointed if you hadn't taken a few nibbles for seasoning his heart from your knights errand quest:) what a lovely man he must of been I wouldn't at all be surprised if he didn't save that slightly bitten heel for last to crack a grin repast afore finishing!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny, sorry I have only just got round to thanking you for this lovely review. Most appreciated.

Chris

[gram linski]

lovely nostalgic trip , your old Grandad was smiling because he probably did the same, don.t we all

[Chris Shaw]

gram forgive my late thanks for this review. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Dave]

I envy you. Not only the smell, but the taste of fresh baked bread. There is something so very basic about it. Thank you .

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

The smell and taste of freshly baked bread to me as a seven year old was totally irresistible. Many thanks Dave for visiting.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared dear Chris. A small bite to tempt the taste buds. I enjoyed the story in the poetry. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your visit Coyote.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.

[nazia]

Such a beautiful picture of a childhood morning. The smell of fresh bread and the pride of being trusted enough to go and get it. It was my favourite too. Your words remind every reader of the most precious memories of the life...
A vivid and pleasant read :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Nazia for your lovely review. Pleased you enjoyed the smell of fresh bread. Your visit appreciated.

Chris

[emmajoy]

This is beautiful… maybe cos it's the child speaking what we guess could be more than it appears. And, dear Chris, it was, is. You've slowly trickled an event that might well have taught a veiled lesson.. how friendship, closeness, can never be destroyed if there's understanding and touches of kind humour.. especially between ages. It's a delicate piece, and yes, beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em. Yes childhood memories are precious, especially when they include those much loved and no longer with us. Your reviews always appreciated.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

this is beautiful Christine ..you have created a memorable moment .. i love Albert because of you ;) i did not have the privilege of having Grandparents close by; but i know the trust you speak of as me Da use to send me to the corner store to buy cigarettes. Imagine that! I was 9 or 10. Our corner store (Gallagers) was a block away. No fresh baked bread; but most everything one needed. Thank you for sharing "Doorsteps" .. and bringing memories of my own to the surface .. it was such a different time .. nice title choice too .. it adds another dimension to your poem yet fits perfectly says i! peace sister! :)
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Greetings across the pond Mr E. I adored Albert. For eight years both sets of grandparents were literally four doors apart from me. It was a wonderful time and useful I think for my Mum and Dad who were very young parents. My Dad was still at university when I was born. Albert introduced me to poetry, that is priceless in my opinion. Thank you for sharing your own memories about errands. Yes times were different when kids were allowed to buy ciggies for their parents. Pleased you appreciated the title. It had two meanings for me. Literally sitting on the doorstep was common, that's what we did and Albert always sliced his loaf into doorsteps. Very generous with the bread he was. Peace and love to you too :)) along with my thanks for your very welcome visit.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

yep...out on the stoop .. one of the best places for communion ;) my friends and I use to pitch pennys down at Gallagers ... the "stoop" wasn't a good one for sitting on but he allowed us pitching pennies ..

[Chris Shaw]

All us kids met on the doorstep. You are so right, and played doorstep games. Those were the days :)) Taken me back quite a few years now you have. Too many to count :))

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhh your just a kid Christine :)

[Chris Shaw]

That inner child can't wait to get out to play :))

[Einstein Noodle]

I just love you Christine .. can you feel it? :) all that way across the pond?? ...

[Chris Shaw]

I feel the warmth and I am smiling. Have a lovely day Mr E :))

[Einstein Noodle]

:) .................

[Ted Kniffen]

Granddads are very important people who occupy a special place in the heart. My grampa...ww1 vet of the Somme, worked for the railroad for pretty much 50 yrs....very punctual always arrived home at the same time, swinging a black lunch box and every day, without fail, I would check to find half a baloney sandwich wrapped in wax paper saved from his lunch.
He was a special person.

Thanks for the reminder, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for calling on this piece of nostalgia Ted. Happy to have reminded you of your own Grandad and for your share. All good wishes.

Chris