Showing posts with label Orbis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orbis. Show all posts

Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Flotsam


               FLOTSAM

               The inner tube of a tyre
               rescued from the rocks
               of a west coast shore -
               bouying the waves
               stringed to a boy
               paddling east coast water -
               drifters don't always
               travel with the tide;
               they get unscheduled lifts
               find new uses
               before being dumped
               in a garden shed
               forgotten for at least
               a season.

               © GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Cambo Sands, 10th July 1983

Publications

1984 Orbis (UK)
1990 Quickenings (USA)
2000 Breathe (UK)

Sunday, 5 September 2010

Father to his Chance-child

FATHER TO HIS CHANCE-CHILD
Ther's sum at say at what Ah did wer wrang
an it's nobbut reight Ah sud hev to pay
But them at talk knaw onny haiff a tale
an Ah doesn't allus knaw what to say

Ah luved thi mam, thowt she luved me
Luv tak its course, sin we boath wer free
- oppen air fahn, i a wood o pine
wi scarcelins a thowt at two maks three

We'd med plans to be wed e'en afooire we knew
but summat happened, though Ah canh tell what,
cos t' thowts o a woman ther's no man kens
- said she luvved me ne mooire an that wer that

Wimmin soa offen change ther tune
an soa Ah thowt at she'd wed me still
As tha knaws to thi cost Ah wer wrang
She tuk her hooik, said she'd hed her fill

Dunna thi fret, doy, thi daddy luvs thee
i spahte o all o things at folks mahte say
though Ah can do ne mooir ner pay me due
fer yer mam she hes to hev her awn way

They'll call thee a name at Ah hate
but thi mam an thee 'll someha fend,
soa tak ne notice an laugh it aff
fer Ah knaw tha'll grow up strait i t' end
© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Sheffield, 12th November 1973

Publication

1983 Orbis (UK)