"Sunshine and Bombs" we called her.
My dad it was who coined the name.
She kept the corner shop.
Early morning, first part of the war
Dad coming home from fire watch
and she cornered him. About
the weather, of all things. Said
how she'd rather have the bombs
than "all this bloody sunshine".
I spread it round the school.
"Sunshine and bombs," we sang,
"Sunshine and bombs!"
Payback time that was, for her
refusing me my bag of Frog Spawn -
which I had paid for, I might add.
"Too late," she'd hissed. "It's half
day closing - now git out!"
Sunshine and Bombs, that was,
who sadly in her turn was bombed
much later in the war.
I am linking this poem to Open Link Monday at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads.
The jewel of a memory Dave, of a tremendous time.
ReplyDeleteI am very glad to have been able to come across your blog in the morning, I don't have to go to teach today and have switched on the computer earlier than usual.
Despite the final sad note this poem really breathes an undiluted sunshine of memory.
Thank you.
Dave,
ReplyDeleteI often visit your blog, but I rarely post a comment. Despite that fact, I am consistently overwhelmed with your creativity, literacy, and sheer output!
Thank you for all of the inspiration.
Sad ending but excellent memory.
ReplyDeleteShe got her wish, apparently, poor soul.
ReplyDeleteYou have brought to life this time in the world. Do I dare ask what is frog spawn?
ReplyDeletejabblog took the words right out of my mouth...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds sadly and brilliantly,
ReplyDelete"Sunshine and bombs," and I breath deeply in this peace, while I also think of the world where some bombings are done.
Nice tale...you got me with the heading.. a paradox of reality ~
ReplyDeleteWhat a tale! Well done.
ReplyDeleteStrange the way some words link in our minds...
ReplyDeleteAh, be careful what you wish for. Frog spawn???
ReplyDeleteTalk about being careful what you wish for. I think I'll complain less about the heat of the sun from now on. Very tragic!
ReplyDeleteYour words evoke such a powerful sense of time and place.
ReplyDeleteI am almost physically transported to war-time Britain.
Wonderful :)
She certainly got her come uppance in the end. Frog Spawn sounds to me like Tadpoles?. :-).
ReplyDeleteDave, this takes my breath away.
ReplyDeletenice capture of this woman dave...and your interactions...and even her sad demise...i guess she got what she asked for eh? no i would take the sun...
ReplyDeleteTommaso
ReplyDeleteThanks. I actually only heard about her misfortune through a neighbour, and although some time had passed - or maybe because it had - I was surprised at how sad it made me feel. She was not a likeable ladt and I certainly never took to her - and never forgave her for the affair of the frog spawn, but it did sadden me.
bard
Well you are extremely welcome, it's good to know you are visiting. Thank you for saying - and a big than you for your kind words.
anthonynorth
It - she - is just one of those odd things that stick in memory and seem like little islands of clarity. (I wonder if they are more reliable than the fuzzy bits, though.)
jabblog
Yes, I've often wished I knew more of the context of her remark.
Tabor
Thank you. Frog Spawn was a sweet. (I think one could call it that, it was certainly sold as one) I can't recall whether that was its actual name or one that we boys gave to it. Thing about it was, it was off coupons!!!
Laurie
Yup, another case of be careful what you wish for, I suppose.
haricot
Yes, I often think of it as another world, nothing to do with today. But that's not so of course: it's going on in so many places round the world.
Heaven
Indeed, yes - you could say that.
Mama Zen
Thank you.
Jinksy
Hi, yes, I agree. Maybe there's another reality that doesn't show.
Lolamouse
Indeed. Great minds think alike - see replies to jabblog and Tabor.
Nisa
Oh, for the chance to not complain about the heat of the sun!
Ygraine
Such a satisfying comment. Thank you so much.
Windsmoke
Frogspawn was yum yum - we convinced ourselves. No coupons!
Mary
Ouch, sorry! Being serious, thank you so much. I hadn't expected such a comment.
Brian
Thanks -as to the lady herself, I don't think she was killed or badly injured. Just the house went.