Along Morpeth Road
It’s not much different today.
No new houses bar one,
Many of my neighbours have moved on
Only a few remain.
When I was a child we played in the street
Engaged in cricket matches
Either in my back yard or Rick Allen’s.
Serious matches they were,
Much was always at stake.
No one liked getting out
So there was much pride in every game.
In winter there were football games
Make up games with the older Shafer boys
Men who taught us so much.
My immediate neighbour was
Old Mrs Grogan, Groagy we called her
No relation, they were Protestant, we were Catholic.
This old lady taught me so much
Of life, of history, of love and resilience
I spent so much of my youth sitting with her
Learning of the past, understanding the present.
If I wanted anything I had to spell it
So I credit her with me learning to spell.
My street was my world
Old neighbours who entertained me
From whom I learnt so much
Into whose homes I was always welcomed.
Now it’s all new people,
The ones remaining from my childhood
Are old and frail now days
But we still look out,
To see, if we, are all ok.
Written for: http://pookypoetry.wordpress.com/2014/05/11/poetry-prompt-11-the-street-where-you-grew-up/
Morpethroad 
Nostalgia and a tinge of sadness… But so many happy memories as well. I love your way with words!
Thank you CC you are so kind. Have a good day.
You too! *smile*
Love it! For a minute I thought I was reading Ray Bradbury. Won’t you continue, please?
Ha Mandy, you want me to reveal the weird bits? Trust me it was all very ordinary. Just like me.
I love the ordinary in others lives. I find it all fascinating.
Well I still live there Mandy, despite having lived in other places over the years. I live in my childhood home.
Wow, the circle of life. I find that amazing and wonderful that you would want to return. I can see a lot of reminiscing there…
There certainly is Mandy. My great grandparents lived in this house.
I love the sound of those oh so serious cricket matches! It added so much to your poem that you were able to bring it to the current day as well because you still live there. That’s wonderful.
Thank you Pooky, yes the old family home is now mine.
Nice mempries
Thank you Justine.
I loved how you learnt from the ‘elders’ and your cricket matches. So many memories of childhood and the best bit still in Morpeth Rd, where you grew up. 🙂
Thank you Jenny yes its all mine now!!
Ha ha ha
Sounds like you a wonderful nurturing childhood.
Thanks Suzanne it was just that.
What a lovely place you lived in…you have so many happy memories. A lovely poem.
Thank you Georgia, it’s a good place to be.
Surely sounds like it.
It all sounds so nice and inviting Michael. Must have been a wonderful place to grow up.
It was and is Jackie. You should come visit some time.
Very nostalgic. Interesting to see that changes in neighborhoods that have taken place throughout the years.
Thanks RoSy, yes my street has not changed much physically, just the personalities.