Late Beginnings

By M.A. Staniforth

This book of poems covers the highs and lows of my life so far spanning five decades of verse of what has stayed in my mind. Some of it is quite moving and sad. Some of it, I think, are quite witty and funny and some of it, just what can happen when you are raised in a working class background in a Steel City like Sheffield. I would like to think that more people than my family and friends would like reading this book and hope other people can relate to some of the poems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477226377

M.A. Staniforth

I decided to write this book of poems later on in my life to relate to others my feelings regarding what has happened in my life over the past five decades. The ups and downs which have stuck in my mind all through my life I feel needed telling by being written rather than by word of mouth. Also, on a more personal note, I have always believed I can write decent poems even at an early age and love the idea of having a book published with my poems in it. I come from a working class background. Born and bred in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Worked all my life making springs in an engineering environment and left school with very few qualifications and basically enjoy being a family man with children and grandchildren.

Book preview

© 2012 by M.A.Staniforth. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/20/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2635-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2636-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-2637-7 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

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Publishing

1 Short

1st

5

70’s

Birth

Christmas

Dentist

Final

Fishing

Flood

George

Help

Holiday Coach

Hope

Illness

L & G

Meeting

Operation

Ton

Trip

Why

Match

Car

Broads

Test

Habit

Fifty

National

Sixtysix

Snip

Age

Silverstone

Moon

‘V’

Grandad ‘B’

Divorce

Love

Award

Matthew

Grandad ‘S’

Ronnie

‘Rag Day’

Denise

Woodwork Trade

Bad News

Song

Sport

Fencing

Life

Jean

Book

Publishing

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Not knowing if a book is worth publishing or not

If it has the right credentials to make you or what

Do you invest? Or are you throwing money away

That is the question I ask myself everyday

After deciding to write and put down what I choose

I sit back thinking what have I to lose

Then the doubts creep in, what if the book is no good

What if no one likes it or if it is misunderstood

My confidence is low, I cant decide what to do

Is the book any good? I haven’t a clue

To me it’s a best seller, an award winning book

At least that’s what I hope, with any luck

My family and friends say the book is good

Quite frankly I did expect that they would

I need an opinion one I can trust

Is it good or bad? the truth is a must

The thought of a publisher saying my book is poor

Makes my whole body cringe right to the core

The advice I require must be professional and right

To enable me to decide my book’s plight

If it is acceptable and could possibly do well

Reach an acceptable standard and even sell

I would gladly invest and publish my book

But not if it doesn’t deserve a second look

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1 Short

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It’s the start of the season, it’s early may

Believe it or not it’s a sunny Saturday

Me and dad, set off for the ground where he plays

him with his kit bag in hand that’s seen better days

At the ground stands a hut made entirely from wood

The grass is completely dry and the wicket is good

White lines are painted to create a ‘boundary’ line

The conditions are good and the weather is fine

My dad comes from the changing room and heads my way

He says ‘we are one short, do you want to play?’

‘Of course’ I reply with a huge smile on my face

‘I’ll go and get changed’ and off I race

The captains of both sides with umpires around

Throw up a coin and let it fall to the ground

Our teams fielding we have lost the toss

I hope the wrong call doesn’t end in a loss

I’m on the boundary edge hidden away

Wickets are falling, I wish I could play

Wishes come true the ball is heading my way

Oops I’ve dropped the catch what can I say

I am totally gutted, ashamed and distraught

I got in line, was ready, did all I was taught

Can’t bear to look at anyone especially Dad

What a