Backscratchers

Grammar school tactics at 13

The Probert boy from rainy Wales,

both genius and full-time drip,

whose brown eyes blinked at rapid speed,

who'd earned the name of classroom weed,

he fancied me and I agreed,

to make him look tres hip.

He sat beside me, desk to desk,

"Girl, boy, girl boy" our teacher cried.

each Monday morning filled with dread,

those maths equations in my head,

from out my brain they quickly fled,

when tested all hope died.

But David couldn't bear to see

the smile erased from my young face.

He whispered that he had a plan,

he'd always been a doting fan,

so through his thoughts he quickly ran

and trumped up with an ace.

He'd mark my papers up for me.

"No worries now, it's all been planned,

on Sunday nights you will sleep well,

those nasty moments of sheer hell,

I promise that I'll never tell,

If you will take my hand

on Fridays in the main school hall.

A lesson that I do despise,

it's country dancing agony,

as no one ever wants to be

a partner to a wimp like me"

I heard his anxious sighs.

I kept my word and so did he.

My scores improved a grade or two.

In all it worked a blooming treat,

his ego shot up by three feet,

this little bit of sly deceit,

Why am I telling you?

Reviews

[red93]

Love it Chris and I assume it is a true story. A lovely charming read that shows fully yr sweet nature.

No girls at our School regrettably - I only discovered Women at Oxford ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tony. Yes a true story. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

What a fantastic write
I recall those exams and school dances
Good work loved and enjoyed this Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed the read Julie, thank you so much.

Chris

[Neville]

there is most definitely something in that old saying 'you scratch my back n I'll scratch yours' .. a fun read indeed & with a moral added for good measure .. ink well spent, if you ask me :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville for giving this older poem about my schooldays an airing. It was fun to write it.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

The rhyme went to town and it flowed from beginning to end. Brought a thought to mind about scratching each other's backs for some reason. A much enjoyed read. Thanks for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

One of my first poems when rhyme and meter were king. My style has deviated since then. This poem was fun to write, especially read with a Welsh accent. Yes, we were back scratchers. Worked a treat it did at age 14:) Thank you Frederick.

Chris

[Red Brick Keshner]

Ah! The allure and beauty of rhyme. Sometimes this device makes a comeback but usually stays in a former time and place. Would love to hear a recording of this poem spoken with a Welsh accent!

[Ana Papaya]

this was a fun little story, it made me smile.
reminds me of some homework arrangements of my own.
:)

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, we all had our own little strategies for dealing with difficult situations at school. That's how I learned to problem solve (lol)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Seems a reasonable poetic trade off -and - don't forget how the 'ugly duckling' turned out! Bless - by the way; did you know - The surname Probert was first found in at Pant Glas near the village of Trelleck, county of Monmouthshire (Welsh: Sir Fynwy), where Thomas ap Robert (d. 1536), son of Robert ap Jenkins (d. 1509), gentleman usher of King Henry VII was found. Thomas' son Walter was the first to bear the Probert surname. :-)

[Chris Shaw]

He did extremely well in his career, he was always highly intelligent. The additional info you have provided is interesting. Love to know where surnames derive from. Thank you for your review on my tongue in cheek bit of fun.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Charming tale.
An entertaining look back!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy.

[Norman 223]

Don't ever underestimate a wimp. There an old saying that brains will beat brawn. So both of you won. An amusing and well structured example of rhyme and reason, here.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Norman. The classroom drip ended up with a really high profile job and four kids. What a difference a few years makes

[Davidgeo]

"tres hip".... ha, you're kinda funny.

And never let anyone named David mark up any of your papers... David's are not to be trusted outside of the bible.

There is a song/poem by a fellow named Saul Williams called "Think Like They Book Say" that I think you would enjoy.

There are other things about this poem I don't think I should say.

Lets just say you write good about things and stuff.

[Chris Shaw]

Yeah, this is supposed to be kinda funny as you say in your words. Thanks for the review. Never called him David, he was always Probert (school days for you). I'll look Saul Williams up. Thanks for the compliment. I write mostly about every day stuff, memories, family. I'm not high brow (lol). Good morning from across the pond.

[Davidgeo]

I'm not high brow either, I just sometimes smell like that. It's not real though.

Good old Saul Williams... he's influenced me significantly. Do some copy and paste work with the link below. It's not his best work but relevant to what I was saying before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5H1p-qkCRY&list=LLt1tI_x2D7nAocPpALwVdWA&index=195

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Dear Christine,
Via smooth dancing Sestets in uniquely original x,b,c,c,c,b 8/8/8/8/8/6, you've penned a most charming story-poem to fetch the giddy wonderment and praise of the most accomplished poet's eye, ear, and heart.
With Welsh boy and thee as main characters, how could it have possibly gone wrong? ; )
In perfect harmonious conjecture, the epitome of opposites attracting play out to a T in every word, line, and verse of this hopeful frump/sweet femme fatale ado … I simply adore love stories with a happy ending.

I think you told us because you love happy endings, too … big hugs to You! ⁓ Richard ; )

[Chris Shaw]

With your vast poetical knowledge Richard, I am learning about how I write. I just write the stuff without really knowing the full detail, so thank you. I have become a student again. Better late than never. Pleased this meets with your approval and yes the happy ending, I do like. Thank you so much for your review. Christine.

[Richard🖌]

You make sharing such a lovely delight. : )

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Richard.

[Richard🖌]

I must tell you something else I know, too … that the skills of constant iambic tetrameter and trimeter don't happen by accident. ; )

[Chris Shaw]

I listen to the drumbeat, only way I can do it. I don't know much about stresses, only sounds.

[Richard🖌]

Stresses ARE sounds, and Iambic stresses are continuous softHARD beats in that order … so you know more than you realize. I think in beats, it's become so natural, and it appears you do, too. many would give an arm to have their pen possess the poetic power of that rhythmic musicality.

[Chris Shaw]

The rhythm has improved over time. I did put a lot of effort into improving the flow, trying hard not to give the reader a bumpy ride.

[Richard🖌]

Your sweet poetic voice speaks strong and true,
reflecting all the wonders that are You.
read moreYour sweet poetic voice speaks strong and true,
reflecting all the wonders that are You.

(These two lines are composed in iambic pentameter [5 iambic softHARD feet or 10 iambic syllables] each.)

[Richard🖌]

(These two lines are composed in iambic pentameter [5 iambic softHARD feet or 10 iambic syllables] each.)

[Chris Shaw]

I hear the drum beat. Thank you.