Susie's Sledge

[Frank E Gibbard]

Susie's sledge,

(Sue for short)

Tumbled neglected

These days didn't even stir,

Underneath a trampoline

The years lay heavily on her,

Plus an Everest of magazines,

Wedged into the darkest recesses;

Now Sue's entombed in the family shed

Dusty head full of life's old successes.

 

Dreaming of the career she once had led,

How she would slide for Susie's amusement

Plunging joyously down those friendly slopes

While safe inside her passenger squealed, shivered, dropped.

Sue's bright and shiny skis sped then slithered ( - "ooh Sue" -) to a sludgy stop.

 

To spread the heat of a young girl's enchantment was all she could ever ask

Over generations and many splendid icy winters Sue warmed to this happy task

When computer toys came along big people dismissively put their sledge away

She hoped a scion of an enlightened parent might ski in her yet some frosty day.

[Tinker]

Hi Frank, This is enchanting and it took me a moment to realize even the shape of the poem helps tell the story. Clever! At first I was confused by the word "sledge". To me a sledge is a kind of large hammer. I had never heard the word used for sled or sleigh but sure enough I looked it up and it is a sled. Growing up in California the closest thing to a sled I have ever ridden on is a "Flexie" it is shaped like a sled but it is on wheels and we would fly down the hills were I grew up. We had more fun on that thing. I think my brother wrecked it smashing into a parked car, he also broke his arm and my parents never let us have another one. My brother was always spoiling my fun.

 

~~Tink

 

Susie's sledge,

(Sue for short)

Tumbled neglected

These days didn't even stir,

Underneath a trampoline

The years lay heavily on her,

Plus an Everest of magazines,

Wedged into the darkest recesses;

Now Sue's entombed in the family shed

Dusty head full of life's old successes.

 

Dreaming of the career she once had led,

How she would slide for Susie's amusement

Plunging joyously down those friendly slopes

While safe inside her passenger squealed, shivered, dropped.

Sue's bright and shiny skis sped then slithered ( - "ooh Sue" -) to a sludgy stop.

 

To spread the heat of a young girl's enchantment was all she could ever ask

Over generations and many splendid icy winters Sue warmed to this happy task

When computer toys came along big people dismissively put their sledge away

She hoped a scion of an enlightened parent might ski in her yet some frosty day.

[tonyv]

I agree with Tinker, Frank. The poem's shape is pleasing and makes sense.

 

Despite the nostalgia, she seems gracefully aged/young at heart. I loved Everest of magazines.

 

Tony

[Benjamin]

Good 'sign of the times' write Frank. Children these days seem to prefer the comfort of warm homes: modern electronic games, d.v.d.s. etc: I wonder if they will look back with the same fondness that previous generations shared in those energetic winter pastimes and 'togetherness'.

[Frank E Gibbard]

Thanks ever so much Tink for an encouraging review and Tony and Geoff, kind of you to read & comment. Frank