Goodbye Shilling

(The Decimal Day Legacy)

I remember the 1/-
that slash-dash sign
a favourite of mine
time gone
every shop had one
but
time passed
I know
it breathed its last
50 years ago

Yes
the shilling that was
two tanners or
a bob to me and those
as money comes and goes
5p to you now
twelve copper coppers
hence
one dozen pence
twenty to the sixties pound

But then
deemed unsound
and all became
continent bound
until
sad sight
they turned out the tills
overnight
onto and into counters
joined the farthings
and the thrupenny bits
and called it quits
the death of old-time dough
sad to see them go
Gone to memory’s locker
 to tomorrow’s antiques roadshow