re Charm Offensive
Two Shakespearian sonnets inspired by Abracadebra's excellent fic "Charm Offensive"….a study of the first post war meeting between Peter Newkirk and his father, Alfred. This also fits in with her other post war tales, and with a longer pre war gold PBA winning tale "In the Name of the Father". All highly recommended:-)
1/Peter
A mist-swathed London pub, quite commonplace;
A solitary soul in airforce blue.
A pause, a cigarette, a moment's grace,
Before he dares approach the rendezvous.
One glance has been enough; he recognised
The dapper figure, somewhat stooped and grey.
His fears and hopes, both dashed and realised;
His mates have never seemed so far away.
He brushes down his tunic, smoothes his hair,
And tilts his cap in place with careful pride.
His father, his old man, is waiting there;
One deep and calming breath, he steps inside.
~0~
A brisk, distracted gesture sets the scene;
He rolls his eyes; shrugs off what might have been.
~0~
2/ Alfred
He's part way through a deal, when airforce blue
Is spotted from the corner of his eye.
He doesn't move, he still has work to do;
No opportunities will pass him by.
Long moments pass before he turns around
And taps his waiting son upon the chest;
He knew the lad was back, was safe and sound
And will not let potential 'jobs' go west.
He rarely dwells on failure; few regrets
For dodgy schemes, for spells of doing 'time.'
For profits drunk away, for unpaid debts,
For all that he has sacrificed for crime.
~0~
His brisk distracted gesture sets the scene;
Years pass, but nothing changes in between.
~0~