Carling with Cathy. Another one from few years back.

[Gyppo]

I think I wrote this for Napo two or three years ago.  Recalling a more innocent time.

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Carling with Cathy

Sitting on my Gran's gate
in the sunshine,
sharing a can of Carling.
Black label no less,
with the girl next door.

Tall enough to get served
at fourteen, and a 'smooth git',
a polished little lady-killer
(in manners at least)
until I tripped over my own hormones.

Her mum came out, 
screaming like a banshee,
calling me words I'd never heard
and banished her to her room.

I went through to Gran's back garden.
Cathy was already leaning from her window.
So I perched on the washhouse roof,
passed the can up to her,
and we played Romeo and Juliet
'til the can was empty.

Gyppo

[Tracy Mitchell]

I saw the Romeo line coming, which didn't lessen it's heft.  
Another heartwarming story.

Favorite phrase:  until I tripped over my own hormones
Stories of my doing so are no where near so endearing.

T

[Gyppo]

I saw the Romeo line coming, which didn't lessen it's heft.  
Another heartwarming story.

Favorite phrase:  until I tripped over my own hormones
Stories of my doing so are no where near so endearing.

T

The structure of the two wash-houses was one building, despite a very solid wall between them.  Clambering up on the joint roof was a solution just screaming out to be exploited.  My biggest fear was that I might spill the can whilst negotiating the overhanging lip of the concrete slab roof.
'
As for 'tripping over my own hormones', time and age allows me to look upon these moments with a more gentle perspective.  There are still plenty of memories to make me cringe though.

I revisited Gran's road a few years ago with my daughter and was pointing things out to her.  She was fascinated and made the point that I was reliving events, not just remembering.

Gyppo