I Could Remember

I could remember the days when I was a kid
Days of penny lollies, bubble gum
Marbles in puddled gutters
Hot with East End sun.

I could remember, the steamy dockland nights
Crowded corner pubs, bags of crisps and lemonade
Nelly Dean and Danny Boy
Were all the piano played

I could remember, the dog with one eye
Black and white and lame
That always followed us to school
And halfway home again

I could remember, the pretty pig-tailed girl
In grubby gingham dresses
Who always played a lot with us, finally just with me
She wanted a white wedding, I wanted to be free

I could only remember the sunny days
Stay awhile, for now the sunny days
Are only as frequent as the touch of your hand
And there's no-one to run home to -
In this unfamiliar land

Tom May, author.