84 Charing Cross Road

It did not cost a fortune 
and gave her so much joy
I sent a book 
to a lovely friend 
‘twas second hand
though good as new
   
I love the odour 
      I love the look
          I love to hold
            a second hand book

Reminds me of a film I saw
about a man named Frank 
he ran a second hand bookshop
at 84 Charing Cross Road
A labour of love for many years
a commemorative plaque now marks the spot

True tale I’m told
of a New York gal
Helene Hanff her name
Over twenty years 
she wrote to Frank
requesting books so rare
He found for her the 
    books she yearned
       the words she loved
           deep friendship theirs
as each and every book he wrapped
with tenderness and loving care

But sad to say they never met...
Frank died in ‘68
a bond was made
by books she craved
their story in this film was made

But I digress and must impress 
these words I need to say
Please never throw a book away 
when at the end give to a friend
It will truly make their day…

Written 5th August 2020

84 Charing Cross Road, by Helene Hanff, is an entertaining, evocative and moving collection of letters sent by the author, from her home in New York, to the staff at an antiquarian bookshop in London. Their correspondence spanned twenty years and resulted in a valued friendship.  84, Charing Cross Road is about love of books and words, and friendship. .... Such was their fate that Helene Hanff and Frank Doel never met. Frank died in December 1968 from peritonitis from a burst appendix, and the bookshop eventually closed.  Helen Hanff did visit London in 1971 when she met Frank’s widow.

Contest Strand Completely New (17)
Sponsor Brian Strand
FIRST PLACE

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



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Date: 8/5/2020 7:25:00 PM
Friendship over 20 years makes one family.....Beautiful...Congratulations on your win Ann....you make a committed friend.
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Ann Gilmour
Date: 8/6/2020 4:22:00 PM
Thank you so much Carol, how nice to meet you and thanks for your lovely words and congrats. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Date: 8/5/2020 5:12:00 PM
Ann, that is one of my very favorite stories. You have done a suburb job bringing this amazing relationship to light again! Thank you for reminding me of my love for books and friends and letters! Congratulations! Blessings my friend! This is a fav!
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Ann Gilmour
Date: 8/6/2020 4:21:00 PM
I love it too Sam and I have just ordered her book as writing this has brought it all back to me, such a sweet film ~ I loved it. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Date: 8/5/2020 5:06:00 PM
Ann always love seeing your pieces in the top of the contests congrats my friend!:)
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Ann Gilmour
Date: 8/6/2020 4:19:00 PM
Oh bless you dear Brenda and thank you. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Date: 8/5/2020 3:34:00 PM
Sounds like a film I need to watch. Love your poem, Ann, a real tribute to real books, and long-distance friendships. Kind of like those on Soup! Congratulations for the #1 win, my friend ~ John
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Ann Gilmour
Date: 8/6/2020 4:18:00 PM
Many thanks John though it seems I am the only person who saw the film, haha... I loved it so I hope you do too. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Date: 8/5/2020 1:10:00 PM
So is it biblio-feel or biblio-file? Aloha! Rico
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Ann Gilmour
Date: 8/5/2020 1:47:00 PM
It is bibliophile Rico, I word I looked up, as I had not heard it before, so thank you for that my friend. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Date: 8/5/2020 11:55:00 AM
what an incredible story Ann, so beautifully told!:-) hugs Jan xx
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Ann Gilmour
Date: 8/5/2020 1:44:00 PM
I know it certainly is a great story Jan. There is an incredible book shop near me that is piled floor to ceiling with old books and I love to visit it. There is something about an old book that I love. Thanks for your comments Jan, with kindest thoughts Ann xx
Date: 8/5/2020 10:48:00 AM
What an amazing story Ann, so sad that they didnt meet in person. Tom
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Ann Gilmour
Date: 8/5/2020 1:18:00 PM
Yes it is a great story Tom, I saw the film with Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft many moons ago, though have never read the book, which I have now ordered. I had started to write my poem about buying my dear friend a second hand book and look where my muse took me, haha... Thank for your support Tom. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
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