Measles

Cherry

By Philip Sidney

Sat, 02 May 2015
  • 8376 reads
24 comments
 

It was an afternoon service.

 

Mother herded us back along the cow path

pointing out rosehips in the hedgerow

their bitter pithiness sucked moisture from our tender mouths,

nothing like the syrup she gave the babies

to settle tiny tummies and give her respite.

 

We plucked wizened blackberries like tiny boiled sweets,

Mother frantic at our haphazard popping

of wild fruits and leaves,

our pleasure at the chance tang of sorrel,

death was on her mind.

 

Measles had taken a clutch of babes,

we’d not known them but sat at the back,

Mother tutting at the discordant singing,

children from school sat in front,

small dips in the wide bank of fat backs

quivering, containing grief,

they turned to glare, put out tongues

pulled the skin beneath their eyes to

show the red, mouthed, ‘jack’,

as though we were trespassing on their sorrow.

 

We reached the brow of the hill and looked back,

the wooden church nestled in green ferns,

billowing clouds tinted with sunset 

like heaven in the paintings,

a shaft of light like a blessing.

 

I wonder if the babes can see us,

the nuns said they were lucky as

a pure soul goes straight to heaven,

I know mine is already blemished

but suck on a berry all the same.

Certificate 12
Poem
Epidemic

Comments

Submitted by london_calling79 on

What is it about blackberries that transports so many of us back in time? Every stanza here is an explosion in the mouth of sweet, sticky memory.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much LCsmiley  I suppose blackberries are the ubiqutious wild fruit, our talisman for being at the margins of things, encountering the wild, so they stay with us. :)

Submitted by Bee on

This has a Cider With Rosie type memory feel about it. Innocence and honesty combined, and the fruit makes it juicy to read with a child's eye view and taste of the occasion. It's special, this one. 

Bee

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

What a lovely thing to say, Bee. smiley

Submitted by tibi popovici on

Thats a piece of memory, torn from childhood.Love the ending, it's such a mature answer coming from a child mouth. Great, Philip.

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

It actually is tibi, it popped up from nowhere.  Thank you. smiley

Submitted by celticman on

a transportation in time in every line. 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you celticman. :)

Submitted by blighters rock on

I've given up smoking again and can only just think but Im as sure as damnit that every word, every turn of phrase, every message wreaks of excellence Pure poetry.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much Blighters, I do hope the craving passes, I know how very hard it is. yes

Submitted by moor land on

Wow, this is really evocative. It really captures the child's eye view of life's trials. Here, the inability to grasp fully the seriousness or impact of death on others (whilst knowing it is serious), and being able to see it as something that just happens and life goes on.

Really beautiful.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much moor land for your sensitive reading. :)

Submitted by VeraClark on

This reminded me of a book I had in childhood called 'Druscilla.' The themes of growth and death are steeped in sour blackberries, the child's minds wild as heathens against the religious backdrop. Made me desperate to find the book. A glorious piece.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much Vera.  I love the sound of that book, I'll look out for it. smiley

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Oh my!  I just googled it and if it's the one set in NZ it sounds close to my childhood, I'm going to try and get it!  Thank you Vera. smiley

Submitted by jeand on

HI Helen

Beautiful poem, with such sweet and bitter sweet memories attached. You have such a way with words.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much Jean. :)

Submitted by VeraClark on

Yes, set in NZ Helen. Hard to get hold of now. Hope not out of print.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

I found it!  Has to be shipped from the US so a bit pricey on postage, but I'm very excited.  Thank you so much!smiley

Submitted by VeraClark on

laughyes

 

Submitted by pumadelta on

love the timelessness of this peice and how you go from painting a picture to giving the facts about the situation at hand...

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks pumadelta! smiley

Submitted by Rachel Down on

Transported back to the hedgerows of my childhood and my now! Wondeful & so evocative

RD

 

Rachel Down

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

How lovely that you've gone back to this piece! :)