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Sandown's as its best in mid-july

            But in the winter, truth to tell,

            It draws a different clientele -

Nobody under 80 need apply.

            ---------------------------

If you can push a nifty zimmer frame

            To the arcade on the pier

            There you'll find your usual chair

In its place, just ready for a game

Of bingo or, if you'd rather not,

            Then spend a happy hour or two -

            Given you've nothing else to do -

Feeding two-penny pieces in the slot

Of  the one armed bandit, while your friend

            rummages for her other purse -

            But this could be even worse,

At least you two are still able to stand

Which is more than those who simply slump

            In their armchairs at the Grand

            Staring blankly at the sand

Or west towards the corporation dump.

Along the promenade towards the cliffs

            Aged bodies slowly quake

            Towards a coffee and a cake

Before they drift back home hoping the lifts

Are working and they don't have to fight

          Four stories to their roof-top flat

          Where their leaky panes and scabby cat

Await the silent darkness of the night.

Retirement to the seaside was the plan

            Earl Grey and a nice Bath Bun

            Cocktails in the evening sun

A stroll along the prom to hear the band;

But grey clouds on the cliffs and icy sleet

            Pen up the silent days alone

          No one comes and no one phones

No one's left who you might chance to meet.

On rare occassions, risk the trip you dread

            To the Post Office to send

            Birthday greeting to a friend

You have not seen for years, and may be dead,

Then return with a supermarket bag

            Dinner for one to microwave

            Own label brandy, and points to save

For Christmas - plus the coupons from the mag -

And then - and then what follows in the days

            Alone, left staring at the sea

            Alone, when what you hoped would be

Slips unnoticed on towards the grave.

            --------------------------------------

Sandown snoozing gently by the sea

            Hopes the young will come once more

            When the old folk cease to snore

Restoring its Edwardian bon-homie;

Brian Hick December 2011

©copyright Sally Hick 29.12.23