In buildings tall with concrete wall,
I came to be.
Twelve families a tenement did
share with me.
Backyard of concrete too did see my play.
Two rooms for shelter eight of us did stay.
The stairs we leapt and slithered down for fun.
The railings climbed,
the smaller buildings too.
The lamp posts used for swinging with a rope.
The enemy were often tied there too.
Cakes from mud with broken china paid.
A piece of chalk and peever beds were laid.
Balls bouncing ‘gainst the wall swayed too and fro,
Count one to ten...the others flee.. search high and low.
The canal and lock was there
for our fun.
A pin and string then fishing
was begun.
The seasoning planks became
a source of play
and we could walk on water
any day.
The war-torn buildings were there
tall and thin.
We played amid the ruins
stark and grim.
No doors or windows there to
bar our way.
The walls had gaping holes
and we climbed in.
Mary Mc Creath
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/childhood-memories-childhood-play/
