Featured in my latest blog, a seasonalpoem. More in the blog - 

Parkin pigs and plot toffee, trick or treat and mischief. Which traditions persist?
https://tonyearnshaw.substack.com/p/remember-remember

 

 

Gunpowder, treason and plot

 

 

An August afternoon

gangs of kids roam the countryside

looking for wood

branches, twigs, garden cuttings

November is coming soon

 

we’re preparing for Plot Night, nothing less

September, October

the fire builds

takes shape

the guy is dressed

 

the shops are full of temptation

boxes from Standard Fireworks

sparklers, rip raps

rockets to launch from milk bottles

all part of the celebration

 

as the fires get bigger guards are manned

rivals have been known to sabotage

to steal the wood, to set alight

but not this fire, not this Plot Night

we’re ready for anything under hand

 

The day arrives, men light the fire

Guy Fawkes ablaze on top

Catherine spins round on her wheel

rockets shoot into space

the flames rise ever higher

 

and in among we eat our fill

fire baked potatoes

parkin pigs

pea soup and plot toffee

a wonder that no one is ill

 

and then when all the folks are fed

the fireworks gone

the fire dying down

the parents round up the kids

and take us smokily to bed