The Past, Unstuck

The Past, Unstuck

The rain keeps on coming, so hard and fast
Just how long is it going to last
Can’t go out, as I’ll end up quite wet
Perhaps I’ll read a book, or just surf the net

My decision is made, I’ll tidy some drawers
Maybe flick round the duster and mop the hard floors
Something that’s useful can surely be done
While waiting in hope for that illusive sun

I’ll make a start on the drawer down at the end
It’s so full of clutter and broken stuff to mend
Odds and sods and loads of old junk
Rammed in so tight, that the bottom has sunk

It won’t pull right out; it’s somehow got stuck
Caught up with too much detritus and muck
My fingers just don’t reach quite far enough back
I think I need to change my plan of attack

A screwdriver might work, it’s long and thin
If I could just shove the flat end right in
Aha, that’s done it, the drawer pulled right out
But it’s spilled all its contents around and about

I then realised what had caused it to block
And my face lit up with great joy and shock
My black Transistor Radio, how did that get there
I thought it was long lost, I knew not when or where

I picked it up quickly, fearing it could be bust
But no, it was perfect, just needed a dust
My little black Tranny was a gift from my Mum
A special Christmas present, back in 1971

Two batteries still in, when I opened the back
As I popped in two new ones, memories came flooding back
I held my breath, as I turned the ‘on’ switch
et Voilà, Radio 2 came to life in perfect pitch

I relived my Mum smiling, “Happy Christmas” she said
In that moment I remembered tears of joy that I’d shed
Over 47 years now and it’s still going strong
Who’d have thought it would have lasted this long

Never again will it be pushed to the back of a drawer
It’s going to be listened to like it was before
It may sound a bit tinny and sometimes resonate
I don’t care that it’s old fashioned and way out of date

So, on days when it rains, and I’m stuck here indoors
You won’t find me doing any domestic chores
I’ll be sat with my feet up and my Tranny on full blast
Remembering my Mum and youthful days from my past

©️Karen Stoker 12/08/19