E.A.M. Harris

Parting and Departing

Th’last time we walked yurr,
thee ‘n’ me – old codgers –
we was in short trousers.
‘Twas a raw day, remember?
No! y’remember nowt. Y’mind’s
woolly as an unshorn sheep;
‘ts given yer memory the slip.
We walked along this promenade.
Talk about shiver! In them days,
on t’beach side, was a balustrade, bum height
to us boys. Shiny new paint, so smart;
town shields in gold on black posts ‘n’ rails.
Made a fit divide, like, between
us as walked and them as swam;
like a line of proud soldier-men
in proper place, holding firm.
Y’had pennies from yer Dad’s Nan.
Bought f’both of us ice-cream.
There’s us two yurr now, but I’m alone,
‘n all the proud rails, fer a war, melted down.

© E.A.M. Harris