8/23/2017 3:18:35 AM
Kevin Shaw
Posts: 9
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The Lost Years
Edie
Edielooks well for her age,
Hardto believe she’s almost 94.
Awidow wife these past 72 years,
Losthusband Bill, in the 2nd World war.
Billwas presumed killed in action,
Thoughhis body, was never found.
Silentlyshe grieved all these years,
Washe lying, in unmarked ground?
Edielives in a small country cottage,
Inthe High Peak town of Glossop.
Movedfrom Ashton in the Fifties,
Towork in the local Hosiery shop.
Twosiblings, Jean and Tommy Joe
Goodfriends, who love her dear.
WhistDrive and Dom’s in the Feathers,
ANatter and glass of Stout beer.
The Lost Years
Edie 2
Bingoat the Workers on Sunday,
You’dbe surprised how often she’s won.
Afeisty, keenly independent lady,
Anold girl who likes to have fun.
Edie often asked herself the question;
Whydid they send her Bill to fight?
Aproud and gallant young soldier,
Sheoften felt something, wasn’t right.
Oneicy cold night after Bingo,
Edieslipped and fractured her wrist.
Ashort stay in Tameside General,
Abreak from the Feathers and the Whist.
Shemet an old man in the day room,
Whoappeared to catch her stare,
WatchingTV with foot in plaster,
“Twobroken bones, don’t we look a pair”.
Continuedoverleaf
The Lost Years
Gilbert
Badlyinjured and barely conscious,
Gilbertwas nursed by a couple in Dieppe.
Theyguessed that he was English,
Fallingexhausted at their doorstep.
Elevenlong years they cared for him
Beforethey sadly passed away.
Loving,adoptive French parents,
Madeready, his liberation day.
Gilbertdoesn’t recall, his life before the war.
LeftDieppe for Oldham, Summer of ‘55.
Ina curious, Mancunian French accent,
Wouldsay “I’m just thankful to be alive”.
Althoughhe barely spoke English,
Hewas drawn to the Lancashire hills.
Learnta trade in Timothy White’s,
anda lifetime of dispensing pills.
Gilbertlives at Ashton Grove Residential,
Ahome befitting this Bachelor King.
Noone really knows how old he is,
Buthe can certainly joke, dance and sing.
Onenight he tripped upon his stage,
Fallingawkward, he broke his left foot.
Ashort stay in Tameside General,
Protested,but knew he must stay put.
The Lost Years
Edie & Gilbert
Edieand Gilbert would talk for hours,
Duringtheir rather impromptu stay.
Asif they’d known each other forever
Insome emotional, perceptive way.
Gilberthad lost his early years,
Butreflected of a full and wonderful life.
Ediewas gracious and contented,
Despite72 years, a widow wife.
Ediewas as giddy as a school girl,
Asshe listened to Gilberts romancing.
Inadversity had never felt happier,
Heryoung heart, ready for dancing.
Hesmiled in a way she’d remember,
Ofa time that made her heart fill.
Smilingback, put her hand to his face,
andwith a tearful eye asked;
“isthat you Bill”
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