Homework w/e 7.5.12 'First Dance'

[jakkimay]

‘First Dance’

Tommy was only 7 when they took him to a dance;
he didn’t want to go with them, but didn’t have a chance
to tell them he would rather stay at home with Pop and Nan
and this he badly wanted, or at least that was his plan.

His brothers dressed up to the nines – long sleeves and wearing ties.
They looked a little overdressed and Tommy closed his eyes.
Tommy wasn’t happy. He didn’t want to dance with girls,
he’d rather stay at home than mix with all that lace and pearls.

He was only little; he hadn’t danced with girls before;
he couldn’t stand the thought he’d have to prance around the floor
but, his mum and daddy told him he mustn’t cause a scene,
he was going to the dance even though he wasn’t keen.

His mother tried her best to get a tie around his neck
but in absolute frustration she gave up. What the heck!
He whimpered, ‘I don’t want to wear a tie; it makes me scratch.
Can’t I please stay home with Pop and watch the cricket match?’

‘I don’t want to go, please mother, as Rosie won’t be there.
I don’t want to wear a tie. I don’t want to brush my hair.
If I could stay with pop to watch the cricket would be grand.
Please, won’t you reconsider me not going to the Strand?

But, mother was persistent. He was not a happy boy,
as he stood against the wall looking terrified and coy.
He saw a happy snapper taking photos for his file
but Tommy stood defiant; he wasn’t going to smile.

His older brother stood and posed as natural as can be;
he straightened up his shirt and tie and smiled amusedly.
His other brother sat upon his seat and didn’t move.
Little Tommy stood forlorn – he couldn’t get into the groove.

He stood in abject terror as he gazed around the room,
his stomach full of butterflies; his heart prepared for doom.
How he wished he were at home again, watching sport with pop
than stuck here. How he wished the dreadful music he could stop.

He gazed across the room at the girls just sitting there;
he was rooted to the spot; all he could do was stand and stare.
Some looked at him and waved, smiling, just waiting for the chance
that Tommy found the courage to ask one young girl to dance.

He gazed unfamiliar faces, looking for one he knew
when he spotted his sweet Rosie dressed up in stunning blue.
Did his eyes deceive him? Was Rosie really sitting there?
A smile grew at the corners as he walked up to her chair.

‘Hello Rosie, you could make it. I’m so glad you could come.
I didn’t want to be here; I was feeling really glum.
Would you like to join me; I think I’d like to take the chance
of moving ‘round the floor with you on my first public dance.

‘You know, I had to plead with mum; she said I couldn’t go,
but I wanted to be here just so I could be your beau.
I didn’t like the thought that you might dance with someone new
because I really think that I’m the only boy for you.

© Jakki May
24.4.12

[Neville Briggs]

Goodonya Jakki. That photo really got the imagination going for you.

(I'm still strugggling with my idea )

[Maureen K Clifford]

Love it Jakki - lovely story for the photo - well done

Cheers

Maureen

[jakkimay]

Ah. Thanks guys. Sometimes it takes awhile, but if I get an idea then I run with it. They can occasionally turn into epics.

Cheers
Jakki