Turning the Clock Back

sometimes i return to that cold

back bedroom on the first floor of

my grandparent's old terraced home

where my legs fidget in bed

as my younger sister dreams

soundly beneath rose candlewick

while i count on my abacus fingers

tube trains as they rattle along

electric rails on top of tall arches

where brickwork is blackened by

smog in the shade of the oldest tree

in a postage stamp garden

flooding the room with false light

shaking the sash windows

twitching the jaundiced net curtains

out of their slumber while i try

my hardest to fall like Alice  down

the rabbit hole into wonderland

and eventually ..........into sleep

Reviews

[Neville]

one does not need an imagination to find oneself transported somehow to that cold back bedroom on the first floor of some old terraced house .. had you not mentioned your grandparents though, I could have sworn it was 24 spencer bridge Rd .. and my younger brother beneath the rose candlewick ..

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

The bedroom may have been cold but the memories couldn't have been warmer. A comfort zone. Thank you Neville. Pleased you could relate and in a happy way.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

Chris you're hitting the nail on the head, man I had to go back and read again before before my comment, why because the words you choose make think do I have it Right yes I love how this came together again it made think because a tree can live longer than me yet I can move and stuck between while life passes by me
This is one write I will in my library to read when I'm feeling down, thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mauricio for your lovely comment. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris… you Crochet the warmest feelings from Childhood… and now we Snuggle and pretend that we are back 🏡 home with all our 💕 loved ones.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pat. I have lovely memories of my early years. My Nan used to crochet and she taught me too, as well as sewing and hiw to knit.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

This unfolds with gentle timing. Laying in everything good and essential to carry me there.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Cherrie and happy Saturday. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[poetgurl]

This is such a wonderful write here, love your imagery

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed my poem and I thank you for stopping by to review. Have a good Saturday.
Chris

[Aura]

When I read this I thought of a mind that never rests. The person remembers an event from their childhood where they could not sleep,trying to fall into the rabbit hole into Wonderland is like trying to will yourself to sleep. That's just my interpretation though, and I thought you used a good choice of words for you poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Aura. I couldn't sleep then and I don't sleep easy now either. Thank you for your review and for stopping by.

Chris

Chris

[Aura]

You are welcome!

[JE Falcon]

"while i count on my abacus fingers
tube trains as they rattle along
electric rails on top of tall arches" --- Boy, what a vision this was :)
And sweet dreams.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Falcon. I like to work on the imagery :) I appreciate you.

Chris

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Childhood reminds us of days we won't want to forget. Days when we only knew little and the little we knew gave us peace within. But growing up make life become more complicated as we gobbled the spices and junks of life.
I always wish I could revisit my childhood once again and appreciate the moment it gave me.

Well Written, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kay for your delightful review. Life seemed so simple back in the day. Appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This poem is chock-full of detailed words and imagery and the joy of reading this had me wishing It'd never end. But the end was also enjoyable with your reference to Alice In Wonderland, which I never saw, but you piqued my interest in it again. tyfs, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

What a fabulous review Cyprian. So pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[Relic]

I agree with the others, Chris. The imagery is great and I couldn't help but go back to my grandmothers house in my own mind. Isn't it funny how we can remember things from our childhood so well but can't remember two weeks ago. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tim. Laughing at your response You are so right. I can remember the detail and the emotions of childhood so well. Now yesterday I put my purse somewhere safe and it took ages to find it :) I hope your trip back in time to your grandmother's house was a happy one. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Silmara McGarry]

Whom said you weren't Alice? :-) We all had one way or another our reasons to want to fall down the rabbit hole into wonderland my dear Chris....ohhhh yess....but only in the imaginary. And the memories are lightening in my head right now. Beautifully done!!! Thank you so much for sharing.

I hope all is great with you darling.

Hugsss
Sil
:-)

[Chris Shaw]

Great to get a visit from you Sil and such a lovely review too. All good and I hope the same for you. Thanks for stopping by lovely xx

[Silmara McGarry]

My pleasure dear :-)
All good, Thanks God!
You are most welcome :-)))

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased al Is well with you :))