We could ice dance

We could ice dance

Beneath the stars

Skate down the street

In a deep freeze

Bygone winters

A sepia childhood

We had no fridge

But a meat safe

Wore woollen socks

On our hands to keep warm

At bedtime

With an army greatcoat

As an extra blanket

Dad wore it in the war

He sipped a martini

In Singapore

It can seem to glow

In retrospect

Even our noses

Were a thing of colour

Without central heating

Although a big log fire

Took some beating

With a back boiler

For the Friday night bath

Whether it was needed

Or not

It is true but you have to laugh

Nobody wore deodorant

At the coalface

Just carbolic.

Is it a signifier

If there is less inclination

To look forward

When so much has passed

Leaving me behind

To remember

How wonderful

We were together

There is nobody left to listen

When they are so busy

Creating memories

For themselves

With Elves on shelves

Halloween parties

And baby showers

It is as it should be

But when it is

My turn to die

Will anybody out there

Remember

How it was for you

And me

In the by and by.