Heatbumps
Memories of visits to my Grandparents who lived in rural Wales during WW2, modernity had yet to reach their small village, so they had no running water or electricity; life was difficult. I always came out in a rash of redbumbs which drove me mad. I was told it was the change of water. This was the second poem I wrote.
Heatbumps, scratch, scratch, must be a louse
Nain and Taid, grey and black, have cold house
Bedroom smell wee, chamber pot, double bed
Its dark, it’s cold, bed wet, and full of dread.
Wallpaper on the ceiling, patterns come, and go
Sheets rough, mattress feathered, candle glow
Scratch, scratch, heat bumps, itch, itch, I’m mad.
Carpet wet, the damp rising in the corner by the door.
Every visit, heatbumps come, pink ointment to apply
It’s the change, it’s the water, everyone tell lie
Scratch, scratch, itch, itch, tic tock went the clock
All night long an itch, a scratch a tick a tock
Lifetime shorter than the night you see,
Bodies sore itches; home is where I want to be.
Holidays from school so cruel please kill that flea.
17.01.2005
so evocative of just how this kind of setting would be... so sad you experienced this... how wonderful to live differently now... beaut, rhythmic poem, Bob
The rhythm you used to write this lovely to read...A great work.
Hi Bob. Much enjoyed this one. I live in the heart of rural Wales, and the imagery in your poem sounds a bit like our house. I think it must be the water.
A good recall of your youth with your grandparents. A joy to read Bob.
Thanks for this great composition BOB! Also thanks for your encouragement and guidance from the time of my Story of Philosophy- till the present time ! I have rectified the small error which no one else can detect but you ! -Raj
dear bob, they had life as they had a lot of time for sharing and caring...
Bob, this reminds me of holidays I spent with my grandparents where we had to go through some real rustic living, go in the open with umbrella and a pot to relieve ourselves. poetry is amazing, how it helps to pour out our feelings and share with others, laugh in retrospect. thanks
Bet you were itching to post this one, Bob. I always enjoy pieces that look back on our lives, good or bad. A much enjoyed poem.
What an itch! I too had itch 14 years ago when I was affected by Psoriasis! Nice poem about that!
Nice going down the memory lane, Bob. Heat bumps really made one crazy, lol