Childhood

My Faber poetry diary has a beautiful poem for this week: Stories by Julia Copus. It begins "think of a night in midsummer" and goes on to describe a scene from her past.  It brought up some memories which led to this poem. 


Childhood

You remember the long days of summer - 
because aren't all memories brightly lit -
with the smell of cut grass, and sparkles
of water splashed up from a paddling pool,
the bubbling laughter of friends
and the wet nuzzling nose of a collie dog.

You remember how the days were filled 
with the promise of nothing to do
but claim the street with friends on bikes,
chalking hopscotch on pavements,
playing two-balls up against the alley wall.

You remember how you stretched out the hours 
as taut as you dared, denying the dark,
before your mum came to the doorway 
to call you in. 

These are the days you remember first,
before the days when friends were busy,
or the days when the rain stopped play,
trapping you inside with your Sindy dolls,
and only your imagination to fill the time. 


© Copyright 2026. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved



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