The sun’s dying rays, pierce
the blinds in their intensity.
On the horizon, thunderheads
build, and humid at it is, I wish
this afternoon would never end,
lying, head on his lap, on the settee.
We speak of many things...
and yet his face, with its valleys,
peaks and troughs tells me
what he doesn’t say.
“So, what was she like?
Your first wife?” I ask him.
He comes alive, as I rise
to top-up our cups of tea
and ponder on the fragility
of porcelain and how I wished
his Kutani had less chips,
and that the side plates
had never been stitched.
‘You would have liked her,’
he says. ‘In fact, I can hear
the arpeggio of her laughter
through your lips.’ It’s nice
to hear him reminisce; talk
of her. A thing he’s not done
since she died.
Amazing how a neck-rub,
some Darjeeling and, a batch
of cheese scones, can transport one,
all the way from sleepy Eastbourne
and a passing summer storm,
to a steamy monsoon in the Tropic
of Capricorn.
Comments
hilary west | December 26, 2011 - 20:29
Love the 'arpeggio of her laughter', but there are many delights in this. Wonderful!
RachelPatricia | December 26, 2011 - 21:33
Oh, this is just so utterly stunning, Tina! Fell in love with it at the first stanza and the final one simply blew me away - what more can I say, this is an absolute delight. So delicate and dreamy, beautiful :)
Thanks again for your lovely comment on my latest and really do hope you and yours are having a great Christmas - how you manage to write such brilliant poetry like this admist the chaos astounds me, hats off to you!;)
Take care and hope you have a great New Year's,
Rachel xx
Highhat | December 27, 2011 - 08:12
I am so glad you have an outlet in poetry Tina but then I suppose we all do. Your poems enrich others lives including my own. This one is particularly stunning- so simple but says so much. You pack so much into a few lines with your wonderful and beautiful images. Your poems are always a joy to read. They deserve a whole bowl of cherries for your delight.
;)Pia
Silver Spun Sand | December 27, 2011 - 10:14
Thanks, hilary. Pleased you liked;-) Tina
Silver Spun Sand | December 27, 2011 - 10:17
Thank you, Rachel...says she with a big smile on her face;-)
I am so glad you liked this one so much, and yes, we are having a great Christmas, and even my Xmas pudding turned out OK;-)
My best wishes to you and I wish you a peaceful and fulfilling 2012.
Tina xx
Silver Spun Sand | December 27, 2011 - 10:19
What a lovely thing to say, Pia. Thank you;-)
And yes, you are right, I think. Writing is an 'outlet' for most of us. Don't know where I would be without it.
Thank you again;-)
Tina;-)
skinner_jennifer | December 28, 2011 - 11:46
Hi Tina,
I couldn't wait to get back to reading your poetry,
it's always such a joy to read and this one is so
tender, loving and beautiful.
Thankyou for an extra special poem.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | December 28, 2011 - 13:00
You are more than welcome, Jenny, and many thanks to you for reading;-)
Tina
seashore | December 28, 2011 - 13:30
This is a very special poem - I absolutely loved it.
Silver Spun Sand | December 28, 2011 - 14:57
Many thanks, Coral;-)
Tina x
MistakenMagic | December 29, 2011 - 14:34
This is beautiful, Tina. I particularly love this stanza:
"He comes alive, as I rise
to top-up our cups of tea
and ponder on the fragility
of porcelain and how I wished
his Kutani had less chips,
and that the side plates
had never been stitched."
And those final few lines are outstanding. Well done on the cherry!
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | December 29, 2011 - 14:39
Hi there, Magic. Hope you had a great Christmas:-)
Thanks for reading this one, and I'm pleased you enjoyed.
Tina;-)xxx
the unfolding head | December 29, 2011 - 15:00
really enjoyed... as delicate as ever
Silver Spun Sand | December 29, 2011 - 15:07
tuh - many thanks;-)
Tina