The Royal Family
Kenneth Robson Royal was born in Dunston on the 2nd of June, 1925. He died on the 22nd of June. Winifred Henrietta Royal Nee Yaden was born in Elswick on the 12th of August, 1924. She died on the 20th of November. Their son – Ian Royal is the voice that can be heard in the following poems ‘Sat on the Sand’, ‘Not just the little things’ and ‘Who I am’.
The Royal Family
Kenneth Robson Royal was born in Dunston on the 2nd of June, 1925. He died on the 22nd of June. Winifred Henrietta Royal Nee Yaden was born in Elswick on the 12th of August, 1924. She died on the 20th of November. Their son – Ian Royal is the voice that can be heard in the following poems ‘Sat on the Sand’, ‘Not just the little things’ and ‘Who I am’.
Sat on the Sand
By Ian Royal
Sat on the sand, somewhere near Tynemouth, Whitley Bay or even Cullercoats, my dad, about 40 years old, white vest, trousers with turn ups, no shoes just socks, my very own 60’s John McClane, me about 5 or 6 years old, shirt off but vest still on like my dad, skinny little arms around his neck. I looked younger but he looks older, a happy scene, salty warm and safe, black and white image but I can feel the colours of summers long gone. Is this the only time we did this or is it the only time it was photographed?
Not just the little things
by Ian Royal
I remember cobbles and bumpy bike rides I remember football games with 20 players per side I remember the lovely coal fire smell I remember my mam shouting – Oh bloody hell!! I remember her standing grim in her old pinny. I remember my dad calming her down with – Let’s be fair now, Winnie I remember being carried to bed I remember the sadness now that they’re both dead
Who I am
by Ian Royal
I heard – Don’t worry it will be alright from my mam
I heard – If we can, we will from my dad
and we did most of the time.
The smell of the blazing coal fires and flaming fish and
chip papers of my childhood,
the sounds of 1960’s pop stars,
my sister’s girlfriends laughing and screaming,
the sound of our old radiogram dropping 45’s,
Frankie Laine cowboy songs and Bonanza,
the taste of Barsix and Bower’s restaurant,
Knickerbocker Glories on Saturday afternoons,
cousins always present, aunts and uncles close by.
I look for fairness, rules and justice
but I see unfairness, cheating and injustice,
I am myself and I am happy with that.
