“You remember," I say.
She doesn’t answer,
but I just carry on, anyway.
“Remember when I sat
on the oil-stove –
burnt my bum;
had to take a cushion
to sit on at school?
When that rabbit
bit my finger
at Auntie Sarah’s,
and I was wearing
my Sunday-best,
white lace gloves,
and there was blood
everywhere?
You remember,” I say.
She doesn’t answer
so I just carry on, anyway.
“When that thrush
flew down the chimney
in that B & B
you, me, Dad, and Sis
were staying at
in St.Leonards-on-Sea,
and you hid – terrified
beneath the bedclothes...”
This man, standing
with me now. The one
you married in the war;
the one you loved,
honoured, and obeyed;
the one’s cared for you
these last ten years...
washed and dressed you,
cooked, and cleaned
the house and wept
for you at night
when he’s tucked
you in bed;
you remember, I want
to say. Only...she doesn’t,
but he’ll just carry on...
anyway.
Comments
steve_elliott04 | June 2, 2012 - 23:33
A great read - very enjoyable! I particularly liked your use of a refrain, and the contrasting final stanza; this really emphasises the point and heightens the emotions you so skilfully invoke within the reader. The other stanzas are touchingly nostalgic and relatable too. Certainly set me off down memory lane anyway!
Thanks for sharing,
Steve.
Silver Spun Sand | June 2, 2012 - 23:45
Many thanks, Steve. More than appreciated.
Tina
Denzella | June 3, 2012 - 22:14
Oh, Tina,
This is lovely for all the reasons that Steve just gave so eloquently.
I really enjoyed this.
Moya
Silver Spun Sand | June 3, 2012 - 23:52
Pleased you thought so. Means a lot. My dad had it so hard, right to the end.
Tina
Rhiannonw | June 4, 2012 - 09:53
I do like the way you can flit in so many ordinary, typical funny family memories, the kind you know may penetrate even when there is no noticable response. Like when talking to someone in a coma I suppose, and maybe suddenly noticing a eye flicker, and realising something is being understood, but in the case of dementia one never knows.
Hope it encourages others who are having to persevere, as you did, as your father had to.
Rhiannon
Silver Spun Sand | June 4, 2012 - 10:38
Thanks, Rhiannon, for your inspired comment. I hope so too.
Tina
seashore | June 10, 2012 - 09:00
Missed this one but glad I found it - really good.
Silver Spun Sand | June 10, 2012 - 09:19
So good of you to go back and read this, Coral. I really appreciate it, and am pleased you got something from it;-)
Tina
skinner_jennifer | June 14, 2012 - 17:18
A sentimental journey into your childhood Tina,with some funny and sad memories.
I'm sure this piece of writing means a lot to you.
Thankyou for sharing.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | June 14, 2012 - 17:27
Thanks for reading this one, Jenny. More than appreciated, and you are so right...this does mean a lot to me.
Tina