Sunburn

When we were kids we used to climb trees,
Get grubby hands; scrape the skin off our knees.
We jumped in deep puddles and made big mud pies,
But what you said next made me shudder inside.

You sat in the sun; I sat in the shade,
With mum’s homemade ice cream and pink lemonade.
We shared all our secrets, our comics and toys;
Had the same pin ups and kissed the same boys.

As we sat with our wine and thought of the past,
Of the fun that we’d had; a shadow was cast.
You said I was black and the dirt didn’t show,
I was speechless with shock, but you didn’t know.

As you sit in the sun, turning darker than me
I try to figure out the way that you see.
How do I tell you, will you understand?
An off hand remark, burns inside like a brand.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 26, 2018 at 5:34 AM
A perfect poem. Eloquent. Touching. Speaks to the heart of human nature. Beautifully done, congratulations on first place prize :) xomo!
Lucas-Clarke Avatar
April 26, 2018 at 6:17 AM
Thank you Maureen, I appreciate your comments. Kind regards, Tricia
Talbot Avatar
April 26, 2018 at 3:49 AM
A killer punch line! Reminds me of a comment I made to a coloured best friend, (me being a fully fledged redhead,(back then, 1963) a white head head now)), "Are'nt you the lucky one, your just one big freckle", he laughed and came back at me with, "Looks like your trying to catch up", we both laughed. Doubt if we both would get away with those kind of remarks these days. You made a good point succinctly put across in a charming poetic way. Congratulations on your win Tricia... Mick
Lucas-Clarke Avatar
April 26, 2018 at 6:20 AM
Hi Mick, Thanks for your comments, I'm glad you like it and that it brought back memories. - Yes you're right times have changed! Kind regards, Tricia
Roper Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 8:02 PM
Congratulations on your win..Hugs Eve ~`*
Lucas-Clarke Avatar
April 26, 2018 at 6:21 AM
Thanks Eve - Much appreciated. Tricia
Sietesantos Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 11:54 AM
Congratulations on your top-of-the-class win! It is well-deserved with great imagery, smooth rhyming, and flow! It filled me with nostalgia and brought back wonderful memories of times spent with my best friend. Hugs. Pandita
Lucas-Clarke Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 1:32 PM
Thank you Pandita, I'm pleased you enjoyed it and that it brought back wonderful memories. Best wishes, T8
Canerdy Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 9:46 AM
Excellent poem conveying a strong theme. The tongue can be a slayer! Congrats!
Lucas-Clarke Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 1:34 PM
Thank you Janice
Gauthier Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 9:13 AM
Congrats on your gold medal win, Tricia. This felt very real and emotional. Superbly narrated.
Lucas-Clarke Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 1:35 PM
Thank you Line, This win has spurred me on to write more.
Gentile Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 8:06 AM
Congratulations, I found your poem to be remarkable, !!!
Lucas-Clarke Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 4:51 PM
Thanks for your comments Mike - much appreciated
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