From Humble Beginnings

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
 
As the bitter Northern wind howled in the grey early morn,
Sat a young child half frozen, looking sad and forlorn,
He came from a rundown broken home, with 6 siblings,
Where there was little money, no hope and poor beginnings.

Rob always sat on the same flat rock in a nearby littered field, 
Not dressed for the biting winter, and his body to shield,
Sat aimlessly, blankly gazing at coal trucks driving by,
Tears rolling down his grubby cheeks, he’d let out a heartfelt sigh!

His father drove trucks, would he come home, even late, tonight,
Would his mother be sober, kiss her husband; say all would be right,
Would there ever be enough food for a big family of nine,
Or would they forever stay hungry, sent shivers up his spine!

A young girl his age noticed this boy, whose name was Rob,
Dressed in a warm coat, gloves, ear muffs, but was no snob,
Lived in the suburbs, often saw Rob today, she brought him a coat,
A slab of chocolate, a warm scarf for his head, ears and throat!

Young Rob liked this young Missy, they began to meet every day,
Lizzy invited him home, met her parents, went there every Sunday,
Their friendship grew, and blossomed and they fell madly in love,
Rob studied, got a scholarship to Technical College, rewarded from above.

Lizzy’s father was the Mine Manager, and he liked this young man,
When finished his studies, made him foreman and gave him a van,
They got engaged in December, married in the spring of the following year,
Rob became a dad, loved his wife, who had pierced his heart with a spear!

They grew old together, as did Lizzy’s parents, who both got ill and died,
Rob became Mine Manager, this family had adopted him with such pride,
But he never forgot his own parents, and his oh so humble beginnings,
Always sent them a monthly sum, and for them always had feelings!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Proxenos Avatar
April 13, 2020 at 2:49 AM
Hi Harry, I see your comment in my Inbox but it is not showing here today, Thank you for the biggest compliment I have ever had and glad you have made, it a fav. Anyone from Yorkshire from where my dad was is a firm friend for me. Blessings Jennifer.
Horsman Avatar
April 12, 2020 at 9:42 PM
I'm taking a journey back into my favourite poems... love this one so special, one hell of a poet that penned this remarkable poem...
Gibbs Avatar
November 16, 2019 at 6:15 AM
That was an outstanding poem it relates to life in general, this poem had a lot of character in it important details was discussed in this poem. The story telling was good.
Proxenos Avatar
November 23, 2019 at 7:55 AM
Thank-you Ambrose, such a kind, thoughtful comment. I am truly happy you enjoyed it. Hugs, Jennifer.
Wolf Avatar
June 4, 2019 at 1:18 PM
Loved this story as well as its poetic form, Jennifer. And it's so heartwarming to have a happy ending in our (troubled) times. :) gw
Proxenos Avatar
June 5, 2019 at 4:30 AM
Thank you Gershon for always taking the time to understand my poems and answer so honestly and from the heart! Hugs, Jennifer.
Ifeanyichukwu Avatar
June 3, 2019 at 3:53 PM
The toughness of life is universal but only the courageous moves beyond the boundaries of limitations. Good poem with good diction and sizeable imagery. Nice piece Jenny.. Poetry hugs.
Proxenos Avatar
June 5, 2019 at 4:27 AM
Thank-you Okonokwo - your comments are always looked forward to, together with with your so relevant, thoughtful and touching words Hugs, Jennifer.
Horsman Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 3:55 PM
This is brilliant, Jennifer, so deep and absorbing, truly took this reader down many memories,,love this, to my fav..
Proxenos Avatar
June 1, 2019 at 2:12 AM
Thank-you Harry, people were going through a hard time after the war, my father wanted out, of the industrial, mining community of Leeds, England, and so joined up to fight in the war. He was my war hero and proudly my handsome father who finally became a Major in the army. Happy you faved this poem as it is also a fave of mine. Hugs, Jennifer.
Andresen Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 8:08 AM
- Oh ... a deeply moving story, dear soul sister - I'm thinking of "the ugly duck" who became a beautiful swan ... a wonderful writing, Jenny :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Proxenos Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Hi Sunshine Smile, the whole interpretation is in Word Hobo's reply but they didn't meet in England and my dad not really a mine manager, he fought in the war, met my mum, studied through the army and became an army officer, left the army when he reached the rank of major and went into civilian life when we moved to S. Africa, - but - he applied to go and fight in the war to get away from the industrial town he lived in as a boy, it was tough for many then. My mother on the other hand was born was a silver spoon in her mouth, my mum and dad met when the British troops liberated Greece. A big love story! Hugs and blessings dear friend Anne-Lise. Jennifer.
Andresen Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 8:10 AM
........... Rob was your dad, Alan ... wooow
Laurie Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 2:07 AM
G'day Jennifer … give a child a break and the benefits can be enormous. Another positive tale from your pen Jennifer. full of inspiration - thank you once again Jennifer - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 5:39 AM
Hi Lindsay - the characters are fictitious but the story true from another perspective. Please read reply to Word Hobo below - it turned out to be a very positive story for me - I was blessed to have these parents Lindsay. Hugs, Jennifer
Mcconnell Avatar
May 30, 2019 at 3:55 PM
The beautiful piece so well told Jenny, it really impacts those that read this marvellous piece. Blessings always, Gordon
Proxenos Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 12:01 AM
Thank you Gordon , very kind words, I started this poem and it found its own path and led me! Stay well, blessings dear friend hope you feel well now and always. Hugs, Jennifer.
Allison Avatar
May 30, 2019 at 3:55 PM
lovely feel good story Jennifer:-) hugs Jan xx
Proxenos Avatar
May 30, 2019 at 11:57 PM
Thanks Jan, thinking about you, how is hubby, you are a wonderfully strong person who gives him all the support he needs, and sure God is listening to yours, and all the prayers he's receiving from everyone you know. God Bless love Jennifer.
Cunningham Avatar
May 30, 2019 at 3:30 PM
A lovely story Jennifer, with a feel good happy ending. Tom
Proxenos Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 12:08 AM
I love happy ever after poems, I go to bed happy, but this poem found its own ending or should i say, it almost penned itself! I glanced at your photos last night, thank you so much Tom, but am going to open up the email now and take in the beautiful sights you caught on this island right now and reply. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer.
Kiser Avatar
May 30, 2019 at 3:20 PM
A beautiful story, Jennifer. Very well penned; great imagery. Glad it had a good ending and I am glad that Rob never forgot where he'd come from.
Proxenos Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 12:13 AM
Thanks MLK for a wonderful comment, the ending was determined subconsciously by my pen! No Rob never forgot his parents and after his Dad died continued helping his mum financially. Blessings and hugs dear friend, Jennifer.
Pandit Avatar
May 30, 2019 at 2:38 PM
Quite a story this is, Jennifer..so many wonderful people in this world..like Lizzy and her parents. You gave a voice to them.. and also the suffering of kids like Rob.
Proxenos Avatar
May 31, 2019 at 12:50 AM
Hi Vijay, Rob was my Dad Alan who joined the army and finally reached the rank of Major after studying hard for years. He wanted to leave Yorkshire and the mining community! He met and married Lizzy, my Mom Patsy, when the allies liberated Greece. My grandfather spoke fluent English and French as he had studied in London to become an Optician, he adored my dad (he was the mine manager). My father eventually joined civilian life and we came to South Africa. Fictional characters but a true story about my mom and dad, and grandfather. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
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