Earth's Salt

(memories of the fifties)

salt of the earth was Freda

a hard grafter who survived

doodlebugs in the blitz

never without a radiant smile

coty lipstick applied thickly in hot

pink layers perfectly blotted

saturday mornings she shopped for

confetti bought in woolworths

because she loved a good wedding

it mattered not a jot that she didn't

know the groom or his bride

she would wait patiently 

standing outside the church

so she could shower the newly weds

with her congratulations

and a handful of eccentricity

salt of the earth was Freda

salt of the best earth

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Another special one
Wow what a character was this lady and related to you too did you inherit her traits from her distant genes
I would of loved a great Aunt or similar like Freda
It reminded me of how Maude went to funerals and was standing in yellow bright ware (from Harold n Maude) only your Freda went to weddings
Enjoyed this !

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Julie. Freda was my paternal grandmother. Quite a character. Had a heart of gold, made her own happiness which was infectious. Not only did she love a wedding, she kept her Christmas decorations up for four months of the year:) Pleased you enjoyed this piece.

Chris

[light and ashes]

Sounds like a really wonderful woman.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you light and ashes. She was my paternal grandmother. A Londoner. Huge heart, huge smile and had time for everyone. Happy Thanksgiving to you 🌹

[light and ashes]

I'm sure you take after her in more ways than one.

you're welcome,
Dear Chris,

Happy Holidays.

[Chris Shaw]

And the very same to you. Thank you for your kindness.

[light and ashes]

of course, you have always been generous to me, with your kindness. Why should I not do the same?read moreof course, you have always been generous to me, with your kindness. Why should I not do the same?

take care.

[Ciara]

She sounds like such a good soul. We need more people like Freda.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ciara. She was a gem as well as being my eccentric paternal grandmother. Loved her to bits.

Chris

[Aura]

Beautiful poem dedicated to someome special! Freda seems like the kind of person to light up a dark room with a vibrant personality! A person who goes to weddings whom she doesn't know the people? Thats unique, she truly enjoys being in happy situations to celebrate life and add more happiness to it! Thanks for sharing!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Aura for a lovely review. Freda was my paternal grandmother. A true Londoner. She loved a party and a gool old knees up.

Chris

[Aura]

That is lovely!

[Temperance]

What a special ode to a special person! Lovely poem dear Friend. Everyone should have a Freda sometime in their life. You’re so lucky that you did! Great read! Temp

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Temp for your warm and encouraging review. You are appreciated. Hope your day is going well.

Chris

[Temperance]

My day is going quite nicely...Thank you! Hope the same for you. Temp

[Chris Shaw]

All good here. Thank you for asking :)

[Neville]

doesn't everyone know a Freda .. I know for sure I did .. her name was Ethel and I can picture her now .. so I thank you for that .. made of the same stuff too I reckon, your Freda and my Ethel that is.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Happy that my words reminded you of Ethel. If she was anything like Freda then you were lucky to have her in your life. Thank you Neville.

Chris

[red93]

Excellent Chris - aren't these great Characters exactly what Life is all about. Marvellous.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tony. Yes our lives are the richer for having known them. Hope your day has been OK.

Chris

[red93]

Thanx Chris. I have a new Piece on the Cafe about what is going on here - 'Life at the B and B' - it helps me deal with things if I am up front and publishing it all on the Website - this is holistic and healing in itself.

[Robert Haigh]

A warm, nostalgic write, Chris. I can picture the scene outside the church - Freda waiting with her confetti! Reminds me of my childhood, when every church had old confetti strewn about outside, from previous weddings. Back in the day when there were no "Please Do Not Throw Confetti" signs on display! This poem would be a treasure even if it were pure fiction, but based on fact (Freda being your grandmother), the poem's charm becomes magnified even more!

[Chris Shaw]

You know I do hanker after some of those moments before everything became so pc and people take offence at what seems everything :) Thank you for that lovely review Robert. It is most welcome and Freda was a diamond who sparkled with eccentricity. Loved her even more for that :)

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

I didn't like the way doodlebugs looked when I searched them just now. Scary looking! Ambushing ants, and people too I bet. Your poem felt eccentric and nostalgic at the same time. Captured a time when being eccentric was cute and innocent.

[Chris Shaw]

You captured the eccentricity Bill, and that was her. Put her Christmas decorations up in November and they stayed up till the end of March. She knew what nade her happy and she shared it. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

How wonderful that there are people like this that 'pepper' our daily lives, these salt of the earth folks. A tribute and a reinvigorating recollection of a time long gone but not forgotten. Thanks for sharing. /Frederick.

[Chris Shaw]

She was a gem. No airs nor graces, just a happy go lucky make the most of the situation type. She spread happiness in her eccentric way. Thanks Frederick.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

A wonderful write on the kindness on can show to others, no matter what the event. That is certainly a "salt of the earth" person, always there to light up the sky. There aren't many like that. well done Chris!
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Betty. I appreciate you stopping by to share your thoughts.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Chris!