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28th June, 2024

Friday Poem – ‘A Grandfather Dancing with a Child on his Shoulders’ by Robert Walton

Shadow of a child sitting with their arms and legs outstretched on top of someone's shoulders

This week’s Friday Poem is ‘A Grandfather Dancing with a Child on his Shoulders’ by Robert Walton from his collection Sax Burglar Blues.

A Grandfather Dancing with a Child on his Shoulders Hey Grandad, is that a spot of Fred-and-Ginger footwork you’re tapping out on the pavement, or the hop/hop-back of an Irish jig with your hands aloft round the legs of the bouncing, giggling child? Or is it an old salt’s hornpipe, performed on the quay to the flute and fiddle in your head? Is that light-footed 4/4 skip a step you’ve practised in the sycamore soles of your clogs to make the boy gasp at your mazurka spin? And are you bearded Zorba now, rising and dipping on the beach to the bouzouki beat of the waves? Those swaying hips, that swing and stretch of leg and toe, can only be a tango to bandoneon that puts the lad at ease. What comes next in your repertoire? Calypso, cucaracha or the Lambeth Walk? Minuet, moonwalk, waltz? Or are you ready, ready, ready to rock’n’roll? And as for the toddler who sits like an exotic head-dress, he’s learning the art of balance, Grandad, while you kick and swirl your carnival dance in the sun.

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Related Books

Sax Burglar Blues

Robert Walton

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