A Pirate From The Past

torrential rain cascades on stone paving
crazy wild wetness spilling over gutters
creating lakes of puddled opportunity

downpour from grey mackintosh sky
deluge of relentless winter water
brimful mind bursts its memory banks

i recall a blue plastic toy chest
a galleon of homemade happiness
containing a cutlass and black eye patch

a small boy afloat in soaked shorts
scraped knees, messing in the garden
sailing white crested waves of salty seas

Black Beard has grown tall with the years
has a son of his own who awaits play days
with the toy chest in the attic

Reviews

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

There was nothing more fun then those days of youth when we would pretend to be different things whether it be pirate, policeman or a super hero.
I can imagine the nostalgia a m om also goes through remember watching their child play with their imagination.

[Chris Shaw]

Those make believe games were such fun. Apart from memories of my boy playing pirates, I can remember the joy I got as well messing around in the wet stuff. The only drama they seem to get now is on their phones. What a pity. Thank you Dale for your thoughts. Most appreciated. All the best.

Chris

[Dave]

Oh my gosh! The memories you conjure! The tents we made and hid in together, made of course from their blankets off their beds The gymnastics in the living room, what else was it to be used for? Walks on the beach and finding the most beautiful and unusual seashells. Years long gone, but memories that live forever. Thank you so much Chris.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Pleased my nostalgic write made you reflect on your own experiences of make believe play. Your thoughts and visit most appreciated.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - I've said it before, but you make it sooo easy to be complimentary.
Take care - Dave

[Sami Khalil]

A nostalgia for fun times where a son has grown from those days of pirates and their costumes to an adult with his own son. Very adorable and cute write. Children love playing roles and they are good at them. You pick touching subjects dear poet.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami for your welcome visit and review. Pleased you enjoyed the subject matter. All good wishes.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I did. You are welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

"Black Beard has grown tall with the years
has a son of his own who awaits play days
with the toy chest in the attic"

[Sami Khalil]

"a small boy afloat in soaked shorts
scraped knees, messing in the garden
sailing white crested waves of salty seas"

[Light and ashes]

Very cute :) delightful poem
made my heart smile

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your kind review. Most appreciated as is your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Light and ashes]

Thank you Chris :) to you as well

[Fran Marie]

cowboys.. Indians .and pirates
that wonderful world of make
believe for little fellows..no telling
what other treasures are held inside
their toy chest dreams..such a neat
write here with vivid description

well done Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Fran Marie. Love those make believe games kids used to play. Too busy now on their phones and tablets. What a pity. Can't help feeling they all miss out.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

I hear ya Chris..
it's sad. Indeed..

[keith]

ahhhhhhhhhh … the 'growed boy' us guys all have deep within
rain puddles mud and pirates … what else is there? why PB & J silly man!
well said well done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Angry Budha Guy. Those were the days eh? When kids didn't have tablets or phones :))

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

so cool ... rainy day play day :) sparks my own memories of my youth as well as my children's ... well done .. i am gently led from deluge to puddle and sailing boats down the ditches ... to inside where pirates and kings knights come alive ...wonderful poem ma'am ...uplifting and positive in a world full of woe it seems
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Certainly is a great deal of woe around Mr E, therefore it delights me no end that you found this little poem an uplifting read. So very pleased to hear that. All good wishes winging their way across the pond to you.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

Chris, it's as if you peeped into my vault of childhood memories. Our east lawn often flooded in the spring, and my brother and I would take our blue plastic boat and drift above the grass. My dad made us pirate swords from pine scrap in his wood shop. (And, our school mascot was a pirate.)

This poem is an example of the magic than can happen with a brief view and/or a word we hear. It's as if we pulled a thread on the cloth of time, and it revealed an era. Thank you for sharing this poem. I enjoyed it, especially this rainy winter evening.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased these lines brought a few of your own memories back Robert. Nothing like getting wet in water and inventing all sorts of boat games as a kid. I bet you were a great pirate, and well done your Dad for making you wooden swords. Hope your winter rain stops soon. All the best.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i would just love to be able to go through that toy chest and see exactly what is in there....i really like what is in this poem...even during a winter rain...there is frolicking....and imaginary ships sail.'
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. There are mainly favourite teddies in the toy box now, along with a chess set and some dinky toys. That's from memory. I think I'll have to have a closer look :) You are bringing out the inner child in me. It wasn't only boys that liked getting wet with boats both real and imagined

Chris