The Light on the Stairs

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Sun, 27 Sep 2015
  • 2753 reads
10 comments
 
If they could see me now, Jesse... by ‘they’, 
I mean anyone.  Yes; your little sister’s
going out of her head without you.
 
Standing here, in that moment,
when bats decide that now’s the time
to say, ‘Sod it all, and fly...’
 
talking to a tree.  But, I’m not...not
really.  Tell me I’m not.
 
You told me I’d know
when you were with me, and in these last
eight years I’ve looked for you
but you haven’t come,
 
except for that robin, follows me round
the garden.  Could be you,
I suppose.
 
I find you in dreams, of course,
and then you are so real.  I touch you,
and feel you, and
 
then that morning when I dreamt
your head was on the pillow next to mine;
that neat French pleat
you always wore...
 
Your olive tree died, you know, and this one’s
a Venus Tree. Hope you like it. Mum
thought you would.
 
Its flowers are almost as beautiful as you,
but not quite; blooms
 
white, pink-blushed, custard-cupped
each year, round about your birthday.
 
I’m keeping the light on the stairs, anyway.  Remember?
That note of Dad’s, every night
when we went out...
 
on the bottom one, that infernal one –
squeaked, ‘Last man home, turn out the light’?
 
Well you’re not home yet, and nor am I,
and when we are, we will both swallow it. 
Alright?
 
 
‘If They Could See Me Now’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NANKaS_86xU
 
 
Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Biography
Love
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Mark Say on

Well done Silver. I really like the way you convey the sense of loss through mundane little details of the narrator's life, rather than spilling direct expressions of emotion. It almost hurt to read it.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank you, mark, so very much.

Tina

 

Submitted by celticman on

light is a useful metaphor, and stairs. Packs the unsaid inside the said.  

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Appreciated, celtic. A lot.

Tina

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

So poignant - elegant.  You've conveyed the ethereal, fleeting feelings often felt but needing confirmation.  Love, love, loved it, Tina.   (Now to watch all the links.)

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

I've just reblogged this wonderful poem... thank you. Tina.   (Hope you don't mind.)

https://francesmacaulayforde.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/the-light-on-the-s...

 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Not in the slightest, Frances.  Be my guestsmiley

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Lovely to 'chat' to you, Frances, and I hope life is treating you kindly.

Many thanks for reading, and I am so pleased you got so much from this.

All the best

Tinasmiley

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I find you in dreams, of course,

and then you are so real. I touch you,

and feel you...

These lines I found to be so very moving and so very true Tina.

There's a reminiscence and haunting quality to this poem. The missing of moments spent.

I did so enjoy watching; If they could see me now. Shirley Maclaine was so funny in this video and such a good actress. Great choice of music.

Thank you for sharing.

Jenny. smiley

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hello there, Jenny. Many thanks for reading.  

My husband and I saw Sweet Charity at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London when it opened in 1967...the year we were married.  It made a great impact on us, and not surprisingly has enjoyed great success every since, both on stage and screen.

So pleased you enjoyed this one...made writing it, more than worthwhile, as it brought back many precious memories for me.

Tina