Tom Tafferty

Tom Tafferty went dancing when the sun was in the sky,
He danced a reel of summer days the length of Peckham Rye,
Grandad raised a glass and Granny sang as he danced by
The wraggle-taggle fields of Peckham Rye.

Tom Tafferty went dancing when the sun was sinking low,
He danced from Borough Market all across to Pimlico,
And Kitty, Katy, Matt and Sam, Polly, Ben and Joe
Danced with him on the road to Pimlico.

Tom Tafferty went dancing when the sky was growing dark,
Ten times round the Turkey Oak, at dusk in Dulwich Park,
Light as running laughter, his heels flashed golden sparks,
Like fireworks pouring down on Dulwich Park.

Tom Tafferty went dancing when the moon was shining down,
It led him north, through Charing Cross and into Camden Town,
Sure and soft as starlight, his footsteps blessed the ground,
And angels danced that night in Camden Town.

Tom Tafferty went dancing when the night turned black,
Up Ermine Street to Edmonton, never looking back,
He heard the infant’s cry of fear, he heard the mirror crack,
He heard the sound of ravens’ wings beating at his back.

Tom Tafferty went dancing when the moon was on the wane,
Dancing out of darkness to the end of Lordship Lane,
The trees cried toffee-coloured leaves, the clouds cried silver rain,
For the likes of young Tom Tafferty would not be seen again.

Annie Fisher

If you have any comments on this poem, Annie Fisher  would be pleased to hear them.