1976

Think cool thoughts

of snowflakes and icepops

of sledging and wet socks

alpine air and the

alpine pop man

99’s for 99p

and drinks froze into jubblies

funny feet in bowls of ice cream

choc ices and playing unseen

making toys from lolly ice sticks

back in 1976

Thoughts

I remember Michael Palin visiting Egypt in Around the World in 80 Days. He was having a meal in a restaurant and the pictures on the walls were of alpine scenes. He thought it was so that you would subliminally cool down. I’m trying the same trick in this poem but inevitably I am pulled back into the heat and the constant British reminder of the summer of 1976. For the record, It was 15 degrees C everyday for 156 days straight. All the children went to school. Nobody complained and Aunty Ethel still wore her big coat.

To be back on this beach in such weather.