Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Three Pub Sonnets 3

A slant of sunlight on the time-worn wood
An old boy reads his paper in the snug
The landlord dreams of days when life was good
In the saloon Gran’s longing for a hug
The horse brasses hang from a smoke-stained beam
No Smoking notices offend the eye.
Where once trains stopped with gentle sighs of steam
Trucks on the carriageway go roaring by.
Now through the hallowed doors come Bob and Liz
“Have you got Sky? Man U are on tonight.
Some prawn and mayo crisps, an alcofizz
And as for me – I’ll have a lager LITE.”
“We’ve none of those things, sir, oddly enough...
And so... might I suggest you both sod off?!”

5 comments:

Matt D said...

I can hear the background noise!

matt at shadowofiris.com

Roger Stevens said...

Thanks Matt. And thanks Michael.

I wrote these for a promo-type competition for Old Speckled Hen. Then it was cancelled. So three sonnets without a home.

Whe I worked in a pub I used to enjoy that refrain at eleven o'clock. Ain't you got no homes to go to?

Sue hardy-Dawson said...

Very atmospheric, I love how the three pubs all have different personalities.

Wastedpapiers said...

Those old fashioned spit and sawdust pubs seeme to be a thing of the past now. They all seem to be more like resturants with a rather large wine list!


Mind you, all that sawdust used to get in your crisps and everywhere!

Word verification says - "prong is"

Russell Ragsdale said...

This is absolutely wonderful with all its contrasts rightfully treated with all the dignity of an aging publican. You know how I love sonnets. These three have a home now because I love them (and I'm sure I'm not the only one).