CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
by Marilyn Lambert (nee Smith).

As I sit here alone in the evening gloom
Fond memories from childhood fill the room.
A sea of faces and images bright
Come flooding-in, no end in sight….
Times remembered from long ago,
When life was simple, and the pace was slow!

Boiled eggs and toast to start the day,
School assembly, heads bowed to pray.
Standing in line when you heard the bell.
Keeping silent though you're bursting 'to tell'.
Learning Times Tables and your ABC.
My friend Kay coming round for tea.
Those uniform gym-slips of bottle green.
Being picked first for the net-ball team.
My painting pinned on the classroom wall.
Grazed knees or elbows after a fall.
Top of the class in a spelling test
And a coloured star for being 'the best..'
Five coloured, three silver and then a gold.
(Still on the page even now I'm old.)
Wellington boots for the pouring rain.
Jumping in puddles down School Lane.
Afraid to pass by that garden gate,
In case the Bully was lying in wait!
Kiss Chase in the playground with all the boys.
Christmas morning with our brand-new toys.

Fish 'n' chip suppers on a Friday night.
Winding Mum's wool, no end in sight,
As she knitted that jumper or scarf for Dad,
'The best birthday present he's ever had!'
My brother, David making model 'planes.
Rolling on the grass trying not to get stains!
That carpet of primroses down in the wood.
A story at bedtime if we were good,
With witches and wizards, dragons and knights,
Everyone putting the world to rights!
Church bells ringing on a Sunday morn.
The beggar-man with his clothes all worn,
Selling matches, shoe black and long boot laces,
Searching for pity on our hardened faces.
His legs blown-off in the Second World War,
Surely wondering what it had all been for!
Yorkshire Pudding with the Sunday roast.
Real coal fires and stale bread to toast.
Gas Lamps flickering in a gloomy street.
Friday night 'Pictures' our special treat.

That smell of Spring flowers and morning dew.
Walking to school with shoes brand-new.
The first day of May when we picked our Queen
And all the innocent laughter in-between!
Dancing round the May-pole wearing pretty flowers.
My head in a book for hours and hours.
Persuading Dad to let me sit on his lap.
Granpy Taylor always taking a snap.
That Mother's Day card hidden under my bed.
Never too old for 'little Ted!'
Sandown Canoe Lake and Shanklin Pier.
Too young for the theatre - maybe next year.
Egg and chips as a treat for tea.
Going in the steamer across the sea!
Something 'not nice' stuck to my shoe!
Penny-in-the-slot for the Ladies' Loo.
Hearing news that the old King was dead
And we're going to have a Queen instead.
Elizabeth crowned on a golden throne.
A kitten to love and call my own.

At the height of summer leaving-off your vest.
Seeing Mum in her deck-chair enjoying the rest.
Gob-stoppers, licorice and Sherbet Dabs.
Paddling in rock pools and finding crabs.
Sunburn painful on your back and nose!
Wet sand squelching between your toes.
My knitted swimsuits that got 'the moth'.
Wiping sticky hands with that soapy cloth.
Dad's Punch and Judy on a Summers Day,
Promising him not to get-in-the-way!
Queuing for donkey rides, and fizzy pop,
Running so fast that your feet won't stop.
Ice cream cornets starting to melt.
The biggest bruise you've ever felt!
Eating a toffee when your tooth was loose.
Going to that panto' called Mother Goose.
Being asked-out by boys and saying 'Yes'.
Wearing layers of petticoats under your dress.
Back-row at the pictures, such heavenly bliss!
Those innocent fumblings, and very first kiss….

How long I sat there I just don't know!
Remembering those times so long ago
When life was simple…and the pace was slow!