Earth's Salt

(memories of the fifties)

salt of the earth was Freda

a hard grafter who survived

doodlebugs in the blitz

never without a radiant smile

coty lipstick applied thickly in hot

pink layers perfectly blotted

saturday mornings she shopped for

confetti bought in woolworths

because she loved a good wedding

it mattered not a jot that she didn't

know the groom or his bride

she would wait patiently 

standing outside the church

so she could shower the newly weds

with her congratulations

and a handful of eccentricity

salt of the earth was Freda

salt of the best earth

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Another special one
Wow what a character was this lady and related to you too did you inherit her traits from her distant genes
I would of loved a great Aunt or similar like Freda
It reminded me of how Maude went to funerals and was standing in yellow bright ware (from Harold n Maude) only your Freda went to weddings
Enjoyed this !

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Julie. Freda was my paternal grandmother. Quite a character. Had a heart of gold, made her own happiness which was infectious. Not only did she love a wedding, she kept her Christmas decorations up for four months of the year:) Pleased you enjoyed this piece.

Chris

[Mbabazi stellah]

This is beautiful, I love it

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for stopping by. Your visit is appreciated.

Chris

[Gee]

I could imagine your Freda would have had many a story to tell and would have been smack dead centre in all knees ups.
As others have said, a feel good write that pops off the page.
Good morning Christine hope all is well with you

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Gee. How right you are, she loved a good knees up and kept her Christmas decorations up till the end of March each year. All good and I hope the same for you and yours.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

I must be missing something .. and have to ask .. is this about Freda Josephine Baker? .. not withstanding, Chris ... a wonderful poem full of lore and the "good old days" .. the healing after the War .. my best memories are from the 50s and 60s ... I was young and full of myself ;) Viet Nam ended that for us tho .. no matter what side of the issue one found themselves on .. youth was over for our generation .. i love the image of Freda .. bagging up on confetti at Woolworths ... not a town without one it seemed .. such a gay seen as she finds a wedding, anticipates and lets loose .. adding jubilation to the joy .. great stuff ma'am! loved this read!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Mr E and thank you for checking in. No the Freda here wasn't famous, she was a relative of mine and a Londoner who survived the blitz. That period in time was quite special. The war over, rationing still in and a shortage of money. Freda loved the happiness of a good wedding after the death and destruction the war brought in London, so she entertained herself by being a bystander at weddings and throwing confetti over the bride and groom. It made her happy. I love that she made her own happiness.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

ahhhhhhhh ... thank you for sharing .. yes .. as your poem hits on ... she, as well as we, can make our own happiness .. your Freda sounds like quite the corker! :)

[Chris Shaw]

She was a happy, loving soul who made the most out of little. What more could you want :) Thanks Mr E.

[Dave Brown]

a good feeling write
reminds me a bit of the elderly lady that sold hand painted cards along the roadside
Both making life that much more enjoyable

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave, yes a good feeling write. Freda made her own happiness. I love that.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

At first I wondered why doodlebugs might figure into the blitz, so I did a little googling and found that it was the nickname of the German V-1 guided missile. Surviving that was indeed a triumph, and perhaps that ordeal was part of what made Freda eccentric. At any rate, weddings are supposed to be happy occasions. Maybe she just had a good time, so the money was well spent.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. She certainly liked weddings and watching the happiness of the bride and groom. This is a lovely memory fir me of a very happy soul.

Chris

[cheyenne s garcia]

This was beautiful to read. Would you also like to read my work?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cheyenne for stopping by. Will call on you soon.

Chris

[Cherrie Palmer]

There is something magical about memories like these. They cling to our hearts and feed our souls.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cherrie. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

These days she would be arrested for stalking...back then, it would be just as it was, eccentricity...
like Eleanor Rigby...
I miss that decade...some of my best years and memories.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you J. I agree with you. The fifties really produced some characters. Loved that eccentricity.

Chris

[Pryde Foltz]

What a gal? Really enjoyed this super charming write, Chris:)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pryde for stopping by. Good to see you.

Chris

[Pete]

salt, rice. each decade leaves its mark. sounds like a real handful. there's just something about such people. viewed as eccentric they season life and spice things up for us with just the right pinch... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete. I just love the eccentricity of those times. Many thanks for stopping by.
read moreThank you Pete. I just love the eccentricity of those times. Many thanks for stopping by.

Chris