The Summer of ‘49

(teenage kids)

a claustrophobic journey in
a packed coach of day trippers

find sweethearts posed for a
snapshot moment on Southend pier

the heat of a burnished summer sun
not lost in Kodak monochrome

he with his sweater over a shoulder
casual in white open collared cotton

she with away day hair tousled and fair
a radiant smile focused on his eyes

she has found her ever after with a
penniless uni student of physics

he has found his soul mate and a mother
to a future brood of contentment

theirs was a match made in the stars
foundations of a home built to last

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

Heavenly shades of romance and young love when the heart is alive in every nerve and the mind is seduced by youth. You can feel the nostalgia like a scalloped edged black and white photograph and the almost warm breeze from that summer's day. What a wonderful trip into the past.

[Chris Shaw]

Your review is a gift Fabian. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is wonderful
I immediately thought of the movie I saw a few years ago but for the life of me can’t recall it
It’ll come
Lol
Loved this poem

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Julie. Pleased you enjoyed.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

Old photographs and perhaps, snippets of knowledge have created a truly beautiful yet touching poem, Chris. Each couplet has added a dimension, intentionally maybe, to a glorious ending! That year was meant to be a precious memory. mUnable to select a quote or two because the entire poem is... special.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Em. Just holding a photograph in your hands for a few quiet moments can certainly jog the memory. This was one I hadn’t seen before, found in my mum’s personal effects. They were so young, there was a youthful innocence about the whole thing. Plus the way my mum was looking at my dad. There were stars in her eyes :)) They had a wonderful partnership. Many thanks for leaving such a kind review. Have a great Bank holiday.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

I know how it is with precious photographs and admit to shedding tears at time seeing things that you've mentioned in your wonderful response. May I ask how long your parents were married?

[Chris Shaw]

Forty years until my Dad died at 60. Far too soon :(

[emmajoygreen]

Oh yes, so very sad. But a long time compared with many of today's marriages. Our daddy died two years after Hannah. :( But must smile at thoughts of he and little mum.. they were true lovers. Your poem has stirred so many memores, than you, dear friend.

[Nima.Hope]

What a lovely and breath taking trip through the time, summer of 1949. Those days were special, as they will never return, in dressing style,in cars colors and many other things. I can imagine your lovely parents falling in love in those days, classic British romance. Among all the nation's in the world,I see the loveliest romances among British people. As a an evidence, Jane Austen's novels shows it perfectly.
I wish you and your family the sweetest moments in life, dearest Chris.
Love and appreciation❤️❤️
Nima

[Chris Shaw]

Your beautiful review warms me Nima. So you have read Jane Austen. A wonderful writer. Thank you for your kindness. Sending my very best wishes to you always dear poet. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

I started reading novels when my English teacher gave me Oliver Twist and Treasure Island books. From that time, I was so interested in Dickens's books that I bought David Copperfield, The Tale of Two cities, Christmas Carol, Blake House, Nicholas Nickelby and Hard Times. After Dickens, I started Jane Austen's novels and there are my favorite books. I used to stay until 1 am to finish these books. I'm A British Iranian after all 😊
Have a wonderful day dear Chris❤️

[Chris Shaw]

You are well versed in the classics Nima. You have read some of the very best literature this country has produced. That makes me smile :)

[Nima.Hope]

I like the fashion style of 19th century in England. They used to have unique beard or thick side hair, it was really cool with those suits. I wish one day Christopher Nolan make the movie of "Tale of two cities", it's really his style.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

The youth of this expanding into a union of two, blooming into a family of more is really beautiful. There's an innocence to this that is maintained throughout. It sounds like they were destined to be.

[Chris Shaw]

I think they were destined to be. I think you have summed their relationship up perfectly Linda. Thank you for your thoughtful review and stopping by.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

beautiful poem Chris, with the last 3 stanzas being inspirational. Don't know why exactly, but whenever I think of my parents generation, i am always envious and amazed at how they made their youthful choices stick. Maybe it had something to do with coming out of war, hard times making for more realistic decisions, or perhaps just something in the water ... Either way those last 3 V very much remind me of conversations with them about their early days of marriage

loved the poem
Ken

[Chris Shaw]

I think you are right about the war years. It influenced people a great deal. Made them stick together through adversity. Many thanks Jen for stopping by.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

Oh simply lovely poem. I could really see it all. Magnificent poem of what it used to be and how it happened.
Wonderful structure adds to the overall feel as well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken for your kindness. Pleased you enjoyed this poem about my parents. Have a good day. read moreThank you Ken for your kindness. Pleased you enjoyed this poem about my parents. Have a good day.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

I assumed it was such. Very lovely.

[Sami Khalil]

I admire the poem and the pic you provided about your dad and mom; precious indeed and worthy of framing big and keeping.
Match made in heaven indeed.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review Sami. My siblings and I consider ourselves very fortunate when it comes down to our parents. Have a good weekend.

Chris .

[Sami Khalil]

All wonderful and worthy. You are welcome 😊.

[willweb]

Love the style and the poem. Who is this about, I have to believe your parents but...I loved this, the scenes you create, the feelings you paint and the story you weave with your words, just wonderful.

[Chris Shaw]

Hi will, yes you guessed right, this is about my parents. Pleased you enjoyed the read and I thank you for your review. Have a good day.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

I especially liked the two closing couplets, Chris.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston for stopping by.
Good to have your thoughts.

Chris

[Neville]

reads like one helluva summer perfectly poemed to me .. n no kiddin :)

[Chris Shaw]

Well the photograph certainly showed two very happy people. The summer of 49 would have been special to them both. Have a good day Neville and thanks for stopping by.

Chris