Lights...Camera...Action

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Fri, 04 Sep 2015
  • 1473 reads
6 comments
 
“And I said to the man who stood
at the gate of the year, give me a light,
that I may tread safely into the unknown...”
Minnie Louise Haskins 1875 - 1957
 
‘Lights of Love’ – burning 
on a hospice tree, as they did,
every year; each with their own
special message to someone
long gone from here.
 
Preparations made – tension
mounting; the stage all set,
metaphorically speaking. 
Just a local radio recording,
broadcast live on Christmas Eve.
 
All the staff and patients,
their families and friends,
gathered round with bated
breath. Bowls of punch
and homemade mince pies...
 
but I was petrified.  Couldn’t eat
a thing; my hands atremble –
throat, dry as the Sahara. 
“It’ll be fine,” they tried 
to reassure me, topping up
my glass with sparkling wine.
 
Then, they wheeled her in –
pretty as a picture in a favourite
crimson dress; her hands, steady
as a rock, holding a bible.
Luke, Chapter Two, verses one
to nineteen, waiting to be read...
 
She whispered in my ear, said, 
“Calm down. Who’s reading this;
you or me?  ‘Mind over matter’ –
isn’t that what you taught us?”
Just like my daughter to put me 
in my place – get the last word in.
 
And read she did, her voice –
so loud, so clear – belying 
her pain, and at the end, no one
was dry-eyed, as we rose
to our feet and applauded.
 
No Oscar’s for you though,
my sweet, just the satisfaction
of knowing, you, at least, did not
go gentle into that good,
good night.
Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual
Biography
Love
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Tina,

It sounds as if your daughter gave the performance of her life. You must have felt a very proud mum in deed.

A touching read.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

She did, Jenny, she did, bless her, and yes...so very proud.

Tina

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Oh Tina, the more you write about your daughter the more she 'lives'. Your writing a great testament to her life.

I hope this writing brings you some comfort.

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Lindy, I don't know what I would do without my writing, or people like you who read my ramblings and show such empathy.  Many, many thanks.

Tina

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

How lovely this is.  I had tears, and smiles.  Your love for and pride in your daughter are beautiful things, and thank you for sharing them.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

My pleasure...afsmiley

Tina