Elizabeth Atkinson 

London, UK 

B.M. Atkinson's professional name is Elizabeth Atkinson; Born London 26th July 1923; Parents W.J. & L.E. Gamlin. decd; Husband Gordon Atkinson decd; I worked in accountancy and taught ballroom dancing while studying voice production. I am a lyric soprano well known in Croydon, Surrey for my solo performances and as a former member of the Croydon Philharmonic Choir. I am a first prize winner for essays, paintings and embroidery. An exhibition of my paintings is to be held in Croydon as part of the 1997 Croydon Film Festival. For me, poetry is ideal as a concise medium for the expression of human experiences; B.A. Hons (Open) Fellow Institute of Financial Accountants. A.I.D.M.A. (BB) A.N.A.T.D. (BB) Comm.

Childhood Impressions - Aged Six

Where have you gone to brother dear? 
It seems so sad without you here. Mother, dad and sisters two 
Act so strange. They're missing you. 

Soft I peep with shy delight 
At baby brought for Christmas night 
And yet, dear brother, can't you come 
To share the fun with me and mum? 

I miss the tickling, chuckling glee 
Of games you used to play with me. 
Our mother's love is nat'rally 
Divided 'twixt the babe and me 

And you, who always seemed to care 
Have gone away, I know not where.

Dancing Bells

First I saw them through the trees 
And knew that I should bend my knees 
At such a sight, before unseen, 
Of bells a'dancing near the stream, 
Stroked with love by the morning dew, 
In a copse of silvery blue. 
I shall take them home with me, 
Vivid in my memory, 
Like an early morning dream, 
Those dancing bluebells near the stream. 
 

The Clocktower Greengrocer

If you're wary of sub-standard greengroceries 
Be assured that John will not serve you with these, 
For ev'rything's fresh as the dew of the morn 
That he sees, when he travels each weekday at dawn, 
On his mission to choose from the best on view, 
When he stands at the head of the market queue.

Love Suspended

Recently we met, by chance, 
And I was reminded of the past. 

You told me you regretted 
That time had gone so fast. 
You wished that we had tied the knot 
And could we get together at last. 

I gently pointed out to you 
That you had missed your chances. 
There had certainly been a number of times 
when you could have made advances. 

But in those days your secret love Had been your Triumph Twin* 
And in those thrilling, speeding days I was the ornamental trim. 

You asked if I would telephone 
To talk of when and where, 
But too many obstacles cloud the scene 
And with regret - I left you - there. 

* a motor-bike