When I was a little girl, my mum
found all my clothes at jumble sales
and in this bold, creative garb, a gift
from the bodies of other local girls,
I danced my way through all my Lancashire summers.
If anybody asked me (as they often did)
where this skirt or that dress came from,
it was a family joke that I should tell them,
my clothes had been bought in “a boutique in Southport,”
Southport being shorthand, down our way,
for all things sparkling, exuberant, aspirational.
Today I walked to Pennyseorach, and the coast
where I looked towards England,
and thought of the dance of yesterday,
in a Lancashire seaside town.
By the caravans, atop a picnic table,
a small girl stood, raising her arms, and elegantly bending,
inspired, no doubt, by Simone Biles or Becky Downie
Taylor Swift or Abi Martin ;
their bold, creative bodies,
their sparkling, exuberant garb.
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wonderfully fresh writing —
This poem too, sparkles. I especially enjoyed the cyclical theme – a recycling of joy.
Thank you, Kate, for sharing the beauty and grace of these radiant little stars. My heart is with those who are gone, and also with all those who will be healing from living through the experience.
your words are very, very moving & say so much.
That is beautiful and moving and very sad. A wonderful poem, juxtaposing so many ideas. Thank you.
Thank you so much for speaking out with those beautiful words.
Thank you Kate, for creating an image of beauty to hide the horror of the past few days. I spent last night staying with my sister who lives next to the railway station near to the mosque which was being attacked yesterday. There was heavy police presence to meet the non southport residents coming in from other areas to join in the rioting and she was terrified.
My Mum and Dad live in Churchtown and when I called in, for the first time ever, they had locked the door, I usually walk right in. The peace has been destroyed in such a quiet, gentle resort.
Thank you Kate for those lovely caring words. I spent my summers on Southport sands and have many happy memories but haven’t been there for many, many years. My heart goes out to those poor little girls and their families.
What a beautiful way to pay homage to the people of Southport and all they have lost.
Thank you for the beautiful words Kate and a way to remember the joy of being a child dressing up and dancing. There are no words for what happened to those wee girls in Southport or for what happened there afterwards.
Just lovely! I can see that little girl. Thank you, Kate.
Beautiful and touching words, thank you for sharing.
this is such a poignant post for a time like this. Thank you Kate. ❤️
More tears here Kate
What on earth is happening in our world, that little dancing girls are targeted?
Thankyou
so touching and evocative. I was a child 65 years ago, enjoying the beaches of Dorset in jumble sale clothes and a Mum-knitted swimsuit which stretched when it got wet. Happy days!
Such a beautiful poem, Kate, which resonated on so many levels. We, who have been little girls, perhaps also mummies, grannies, aunties. My Lancashire childhood, that love of the sea, and a Scots granny who longed for summers on Scottish islands. I weep for all the loss.
No words……………. other than thank you.
Have just noticed that the first 2 of 8 episodes of Campion is on at 22:00 tonight (31 July) on BBC4. Thereafter you will have to watch it on IPlayer. Don’t know if it will be any good.
Margot Tilbury
Sent from my iPhone
>
I have to say that, in my opinion, those adaptations don’t do any sort of justice to Allingham’s novels. Her great work still awaits great adaptation!
My English mother-in-law, married during WW2 to a farm-worker from Dumfriesshire, used to look south from his ancestral homeland towards “The English Hills” – that is, the Lake District!
To me this poem is beautiful evocative writing, Kate – a celebration of your colourful, exotic childhood!
o dear! Tears in my eyes.
A careful & caring response from you Kate, and heartfelt – thank you.