She was
the prayer of hope
she wrote
that Christmas
before the war...
blue-bags
and mangles
chintzy pinafores;
a recorder
of ‘his’ first steps
and ‘her’ last words...
a hoarder
of poems, of diaries
letters, and cards
from sisters, lovers
husbands and friends...
of champagne corks
of tailor’s chalk...
a raconteur –
her stories, told
again and again...
homespun recipes
apple-pies
chocolate-brownies
upside down
and marble cake...
the voice
of ‘On a Clear Day’ –
a teacher, extraordinaire;
a connoisseur
of out-dated
dance-steps...
the Charleston,
the foxtrot, the waltz
and the samba...
the lullabies
I sang to him
he sings to his kids...
the kiss goodbye
at the garden gate
and the fruit-drop
wrapped in a doily...
the ashes
I scattered
at the top of the ben...
and that long
walk back.
Comments
Beeme | January 27, 2011 - 21:59
Extremely moving Tina and beautifully told, especially the last stanza. I like all of the little details about her life, a very poignant poem :]
Beeme xx
Silver Spun Sand | January 27, 2011 - 22:08
Thank you, Beeme. This in fact was my dear mother-in-law, who was quite some character. An amazing lady who made it to her ninety-second year;-)
Tina xx
fatboy74 | January 27, 2011 - 22:54
Hi Tina, Funny how easily we would forgive the stories told again and again, in fact love the retelling in the end, my nan was like this, so glad now because if she had told them once, how many would have stayed with me? I really liked this one. ATB Fatboy.
Silver Spun Sand | January 27, 2011 - 22:57
You're right there, FB. Glad you enjoyed;-)
Tina
SundaysChild | January 27, 2011 - 23:33
A wonderful poem that is very moving without being overtly sentimental. It is also extremely interesting. Really enjoyed this, thanks for sharing :)
Silver Spun Sand | January 28, 2011 - 08:51
SundaysChild - thanks;-)
Tina
seashore | January 28, 2011 - 08:53
You do these so well, Tina - I mean the family portrait pieces. Oh you know what I mean. Lovely.
Silver Spun Sand | January 28, 2011 - 10:15
Yes, I know what you mean, only too well;-) Thank you, Coral;-)
Tina
skinner_jennifer | January 28, 2011 - 15:50
Hi Tina,
I am glad I held out with my comment on this poem,
because I was going to ask you who the woman was,
now you have explained that it was your mother-in-
law, I can now understand it alot better.
A very fitting tribute to her, memories it seems of
a wonderful woman.
Thankyou so much for the read.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | January 28, 2011 - 16:39
You're welcome, Jenny;-) She was very special, and all the things I mention, and much more.
Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | January 28, 2011 - 18:40
Glad you enjoyed, Julie;-) Have a good weekend.
Tina xx
rjnewlyn | January 28, 2011 - 22:57
Quite amazing how you can fit so much into so little; every word, every image counting for so much. Reads like the wind's whispering.
Rob
barryj1 | January 29, 2011 - 00:41
Nice! Very visual. All the words struck a respondent chord.
JoseHdz | January 29, 2011 - 01:36
love it.
Silver Spun Sand | January 29, 2011 - 13:06
Rob - what a lovely thing to say... 'like the wind's whispering'. Thanks, so much;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | January 29, 2011 - 13:08
Barry - I'm really pleased it struck a chord for you and thanks for telling me;-)
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | January 29, 2011 - 13:08
Jose, many thanks;-)
Cheers, and I hope you have a great weekend.
Tina
Cavalcaderl | January 29, 2011 - 22:29
new Silver-Spun-Sand
Yes,Tina I can tell by the way you
have explained your mother-In-Laws
life and things. How marvellous she was
The lovely Apple pies,Brownies, Marble cake.
And all 92 is good age. My nan 94 very clever too
Toffee apples, bread pudding,lacemaker,paper flowers,patchwork quilt, no wonder I was always there
after school.And sometimes when I was in an office and getting workers shopping waiting fish queque go down I would pop in.Nan was on switchboard in war time.Mum big family so not so talented times were hard then wern't they.
Memories. I am a hoarder bit too.Even now.
After central heating put in room is changed
around. Thanks lovely poem story, just seen the cherry! well deserved
julie xx