On a picnic in the park,
‘Hold still!’ he’d told her...
Just two years old,
this blonde-bombshell
of a toddler. ‘Only something
in your eye. I’ll have it out
in a jiff,’ he’d tried
to reassure her.
Those trusting eyes,
like limpid pools, locked
with his, and he’d heard
waves lap the shore
in Bali...heard the beat
of a petrel’s wings in flight.
Saw Niagara Falls –
the Hanging Gardens
of Babylon; traversed
the world, on the back
of a unicorn.
And all because,
in the palm of his hand,
he’d held a whisper
of an eyelash. Witnessed
her sobs turn to laughter
as she’d chuckled
when a gust of wind
spirited it away.
*********
A smile dies on his lips;
shuts, tight, the photo album...
Relinquished, as it is,
to the dark of a drawer,
feels tears well up inside –
recalling how it began;
since a lifetime ago,
the mourning of the loss –
even the tiniest part,
of his daughter.
Comments
ScoZen | December 13, 2011 - 20:21
Sand Lady.
Delightful and sad.
Silver Spun Sand | December 13, 2011 - 21:21
Thanks, ScoZen.
Sand Lady;-)
gerardineanne | December 13, 2011 - 21:52
You touch the memory of how it is,simple but complex, to love your child.
Thankyou.
Silver Spun Sand | December 13, 2011 - 21:54
I think you put it in a nutshell, gerardineanne. Couldn't have put it better myself;-) Many thanks.
Tina
Highhat | December 14, 2011 - 06:19
Yes as ScoZen says simple and sad. This is hard time of year for you I expect. Hope you get to see your grandchildren.
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | December 14, 2011 - 09:13
Pia...yes indeed, tremendously hard, but the grandchildren, even though they're 18 and 16 now, would you believe, are a wonderful distraction;-)
Your thoughtful comment, more than appreciated.
Tina;-)
skinner_jennifer | December 14, 2011 - 09:56
Good morning Tina,
It's tender memories like these, that we can look
back on and feel that maybe...just maybe an Angel
is up there, telling us, that as we think of loved
ones, they are also thinking of us.
A very poignant, but thoughtful read.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | December 14, 2011 - 10:46
Good morning, Jenny;-)
And maybe you are right about that Angel...I like to think so.
Thank you for your lovely comment.
Tina
seashore | December 15, 2011 - 11:52
It's the little things isn't it - so beautifully described here. x
Silver Spun Sand | December 15, 2011 - 12:08
You are so right, Coral;-)
I do so appreciate you taking time out to read my stuff, and I am pleased that this one didn't disappoint;-)
Have a sunny Thursday.
Tina x
Denzella | December 20, 2011 - 21:54
To lose a child goes against the natural order of the world and brings a sadness no one can understand unless they themselves have also loved and lost.
For Sophie's sake live a happy life, Tina. You are living it for her as well as for yourself.
I hope I haven't caused offence by commenting on something so raw but I have a friend in a similar situation.
Moya
Silver Spun Sand | December 21, 2011 - 09:14
Moya - can't tell you what your words mean. Thank you, so very much.
It will be four years this new year's eve since she died and yet I still cannot get it into my head I will never see her again.
In her last letter to me, written a few days before she passed away, she said I would know when she was with me, and I guess I do. Such moments are precious.
Tina