As if performing some sleight of hand,
the square,
she had neatly torn
from last week's newspaper,
would become a miniature dunce's cap.
She would wait, patiently,
by her gleaming brass scales,
whilst I, spellbound,
reviewed the contents
of the four, tuppence-a-quarter, jars,
and counted,
and counted, yet again,
my two large copper Saturday pennies,
with which I would pay
for what I decided to order.
A quarter of jelly babies? -
(to hoard the black ones till last) -
or two pennorth of dolly mixture;
or pineapple toffee, or pear drops?
By what magic taste-bud formula should a boy decide?
She would smile knowingly,
reaching for the first of the jars,
as the spell finally broken
I would entually say:
"Four separate haporths, please".
Author notes
An old man 'down-under' remembers his boyhood days 'up-over'.
A pennorth= a penny worth
A haporth = a halfpenny worth
Tuppence = two pennies
A contest entry
- Closes Whenever by Twins 4 me.
950 points, ended September 27, 2007, 16 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Inspire Me by Diminished Capacity.
575 points, ended June 26, 22 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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This is very unique, you did such a fantastic job. Thank you so much for entering my contest.
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This is a very interesting and intriguing piece! Thanks for entering!
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