Local Poetry & Art

I Remember…Brierley Street
by Susan Clegg

Memories of my childhood take me back, To a street I’ll always remember. The name was Brierley, number 142 - I was born there one September. From ‘forty nine and ten years on, I’m sure the family experienced some strife, But of all my childhood memories
They’re the best ones of my life.
The street was long, made up of blocks, A shop on every corner,
The roads were cobbled, no cars in sight - 
A kid’s paradise made to order.
Neighbours galore, friendly and nice, A secure place without a doubt. I played out in summer ‘till nine o’clock. Then "Susan come in!", Mam would shout.
School holidays I looked forward to, At Cheethams' Park spent many hours, At the swings or Band Stand or rolling down the hill -
Or picking bunches of Bluebell flowers.
Bowdens shop was where Mam sent me - A list of food on tick, she’d risk it. He’d get paid Friday night, guaranteed, 
Throw in a pound of broken biscuits.
I remember me dad, he worked every day. On his head a beret he wore - Mam would get his tea and his snap and tabs,
On his bike off to work he’d go.
From dolls to skipping to jumping off walls, Too busy to come in for a drink, I remember I played hard and filthy I’d get.
No bath, we’d wash in the sink.
I remember the kitchen, always cozy and warm - A coal fire with ovens each side. Put my pajamas to warm on the hearth,
The up the strairs to bed I’d climb.
I remember my scooter and my 3-wheeler bike, Round the block I’d ride time after time. It was hard going up but worth it because,
Coming down was a big thrill of mine.
I remember Whitsunday, getting all dressed up -  I had new clothes from inside to out. I’d carry a handbag for coins I’d be given,
Then early to bed and my money I’d count.
I remember the day we were given the news
Of a new house on a council estate,
I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else -
But then Copley was to be my fate.
My life moved on, I married and had kids,
My memories I have in a frame,
But from that fateful day when I was 10 years old,
My childhood was never the same.