Chippy Night Poem by John Carter Brown

Chippy Night

Rating: 5.0


Friday night was Chippy-night
For all the family,
Way back when I was very small,
That's how it used to be.

The smell was one to savour
As it wafted out the door, and
From halfway down the street
The customers would quickly pour.

Back when we had 'old' money
And a bag of chips was cheap,
A fourpennyworth would easily keep
The queue at least three deep.

When time it was to take our turn
I'd go with brother Frank,
But if the queue was out the door
My little heart it sank.

We duly bought the family meal,
Except maybe for Dad's,
Who wasn't mad on chippy meals,
Unlike us girls and lads.

Now don't misunderstand me
We children weren't ill-fed,
It's just, we loved our chips
With mushy-peas and piles of bread.

And though it may sound silly,
With winter weather wetter,
The sloshing through the sodden street
Could make the chips taste better.

The condensation in the shop
Was something to behold,
It ran down walls and windows
But still the chips were sold.

I know I'm rambling on here,
But memories are so strong,
And if you'll just bear with me
I'll not keep you very long;

It's just that one remembrance
About our chippy-shop was,
That I was so much lower than
That blasted counter-top,

For I was very little, and
The counter-top was high,
So high that I was never sure
Who I was being served by.


(Written Sept 2013)

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
For those who do not know, chips are the same as french-fries. Mushy peas are exactly what they sound like.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Aftab Alam Khursheed 16 September 2013

beautiful Mr. John Carter nice poem thank you

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Lorraine Colon 16 September 2013

The simplest things can bring back the fondest memories. It brought back so many memories for me of the street vendors in Chicago. Great poem. I'll be reminiscing all night!

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Noreen Carden 17 September 2013

Hi John i still remember my first bag of chips i thought i was in heaven a taste to die for lovely poem enjoyed it nearly as much as my first bag of chips

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Simon Gowen 15 April 2014

Not only do we have a similar style, Friday nights was also our Chippy night. Now I fancy a greasy bag of chips! !

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Abhishek Mishra 20 September 2013

Very nice poem sir...loved the way you have composed: -)

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Inwalked Bud 19 September 2013

I like this poem! Childhood memories are the best memories of all! Is a chippy like a fried potato, (cottage fry) or a french fry, or a potato chip? Do you eat them plain or with a condiment of some sort? Ha! Whichever one, I am hungry for some now! :)

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Valerie Dohren 19 September 2013

And don't forget the newspaper they were wrapped in - wouldn't pass Health & Safety these days! Great poem John, ah brings back memories and the aroma.

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Damian Cranney 17 September 2013

Hi John. love this poem, it has nostalgia, for those of us that know what a chippy is, but it is also well written. It has metre and rhyme and and is a POEM. Beat regards, Damian Cranney

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