Gladys Bettess

Cherry

By ralph

Fri, 19 Apr 2013
  • 1768 reads
4 comments
 

Alnmouth,
Northumberland,
Spring,
2013.

On a bench with
Gladys Bettess.
Overlooking the bay.

Above us,
a kite,
swirls,
panics,
and
falls.

The disappointed
pilot
winds up
on a wind.

He sighs,
releases
again.

Soaring now.
Proud.

The sand bites,
dear Gladys and I.
We squint and sting
in the sunshine.

Behind us,
an afternoon Lark,
larks!
Late for
the dawn call.

Then Gladys
takes my hand.
Tightly.

She tells me
of her loves.

Rowing boats,
crabs,
sandcastles,
dances on the beach,
her own kite flights,
French kisses,
French letters.

She loved Alnmouth
Gladys Bettess
1920-1995.

I walk into the gale.
My hand outstretched.

For you.

Certificate U
Poem
East of the Heart
Love

Comments

Submitted by maisie on
awwwwwwwwwwww:) I like it :)

maisie angel Guess what?  I'm still alive!

Submitted by scratch on
Hi Ralph, I like Alnmouth and I like this poem too. I don't think there is any sentimentality at play here at all, just acutely observed memories and feelings that show us the vibrancy of lives and deeds and memories. The kite image is really good and the larks as the portent.. Excellent. But in my opinion one stanza (11) above all stands out, taking us through the significant rights of passage for this woman in so few well chosen words. In short I think that this is what you excell at.

 

Submitted by celticman on
nicely observed and it flys.

 

Submitted by VeraClark on
This is pared down to the words that carry the most punch. Poignant, with a real sense of Glady's life being so well lived. It has a beautifully composure.