The Mugs Game

[arthurkelly49]

“When I was your age…” the auld fella would start,
Giving me his ‘state of the nation’
With a freshly lit woodbine and a bottle of stout,
Basking in my admiration.
He promised me then, while I sat on his lap,
That I’d never know of distress;
My dreams floated free in his cigarette smoke,
I hung on every word I guess.

Tell me again how tomorrow will be,
When all of my dreams will come true;
How if I get good at the sums and the reading,
I wont end up like you:
Selling your soul so I’ll never be,
The wage slave that you became;
How knowing your place is beggars belief,
Because manual labour is a mugs game.

Did you bother to give us a second thought,
When we were forsaken;
You never saw mum hit the bottle;
Nor watched my childhood taken.
Nor counted the punches, the bruises and tears,
As I clung to the edge of my bed;
Broken dreams with a bolted door,
While I took your blame instead.

Tell me again how tomorrow will be,
When all of my dreams will come true;
How if I get good at the sums and the reading,
I wont end up like you:
Deserting your care to meet your whim,
The man that you became;
How knowing your place is beggar’s belief,
Loving someone’s a mugs game.

As I drift back to then, with sinners eyes,
Wiser and smarter nonetheless;
I understand now mum’s drunken despise,
And almost forgive her wickedness.
I am what I am, despite all the lies,
And still hang on to my dreams;
I give my son the rough with the smooth,
But spare him the callous extremes.

Tell me again how tomorrow turns out,
When all my sons’ dreams will be;
How if he gets good at the sums and the reading
He wont end up like me:
Fractured, broken, battered and tattered,
The man that I became;
How morals and strength aren’t beggar’s belief;
And loving no-one’s a mugs game.

[Dew]

Welcome to TPS! What a striking write! The art mixed with insight into the human spirit and all wrapped up with lovely and refined diction made this an instant gem! Very, very well constructed on every level within and without the stanzas. I really liked "I give my son the rough with the smooth, But spare him the callous extremes."...but by now you've learned that's where living occurs for all of us...not just in the high's heights...but also at the low's depths. Living fully is tasting both extremes, I think. It is our privilege and misfortune to live. I hope you find a home in the sanctuary!! - dew

[karrie]

Such a captivating read!

[Suoaei]

What a poem! I was so interested in the story you tell that I read it several times, and even looked up some of the expressions I wasn't familiar with. As Dew said, it is excellently constructed. I especially enjoyed the way the speaker moves so fluidly through time, thus telling the full story without causing confusion. I also found intriguing the content that this poem explores: the passing of life choices from one generation to the next, growing up to see our parents from an adult's perspective, and the choice to -not- pass down some things. Powerful life lessons, and all wonderfully expressed!

[jwesley]

Loved the tale, the lessons weaved within this piece, my friend, and the words you choose fit perfectly. Very enjoyable read --- both times.

j.

[dwells]

Welcome to TPS AK and you're off to a fine start with this memorable tale of perhaps the average dysfunctional family; congratulations on the Spotlight too! I almost felt like I was reading Kipling as this piece moved along (my personal favorite poet). I knew you were a mature person too from the treatment of the subject matter (but I've got you by a few years! Cheers!

[karrie]

I am so happy to see this spotlighted! Congratulations!

[arthurkelly49]

Thank you all for your apreciations. I am happy to have connected so strongly with you and I am delighted to get noticed. It's food for the soul, thank you again,

Yours sincerely.

Arthur kelly

[JASON]

Hey Arthur what a well written piece - congratulations on the spotlight.
Talk about a flying start - just joined and already taking the silverware

[flux]

Hi, I was drawn into this by the personal details, the confessional feel of the poem. The personal aspects and the form you give the poem suggest to me the minds habit of putting the past into some sort of order, something we can grasp and comprehend.

I remember being told to do well and I'd do better in life, and yet I now do the same kind of work as my parents and grandparents, and just feel lucky to have a job.

Congratulations.

[inflames]

This is really wonderful - congrats on your spotlight!

[Ladywildalice]

Very well wrought piece that felt so personal, touching the heart. Excellent and well enjoyed, despite the terrible pain and sadness it holds. Congratulations on the spotlight for this very well deserving write.

[arthurkelly49]

Again thank you for your kindness

Yours sincerely

Arthur