My Four Aunts' Voices

Cherry

By Jane Hyphen

Fri, 01 Apr 2016
  • 1699 reads
9 comments
 

 

My four aunts’ voices

Etched the tunnels of my infant years

And sometime before

When I was underwater

Waiting my turn

Ever-multiplying, nothing more

 

My four aunts’ voices

Played like bells

As regular as Sunday prayers

In my familial church

In disparate tunes

They rung the score of their affairs

 

My four aunts’ voices

Bound me together

When thoughts were unstitched

In a blanket of sound

I sat with hot milk

Passive as they bitched

 

My four aunts’ voices

One by one, they’re gone

But still they ring

The echoes of lost years

Of comforts known

From love’s eternal spring

 

 

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Biography

Comments

Submitted by VeraClark on

Use of repetition is comforting, Jane, brings familiarity to the aunts and scaffolds the life span. The stanzas are neat little episodes that give a hint of these formidable women. (It is on our poetry monthly theme too : repetition)

 

Submitted by Bee on

I remember sitting dry-mouthed as a child, listening to adult conversation when they became unaware of my presence. I used to feel almost hypnotized by the drone - still remember some of what was said. I loved your poem - it took me back. 

Bee

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks so much Vera, they were indeed like a scafffold which remains in place.

Bee, yes the drone of adult conversation when you're a child is quite fascinating and the adults always think you're not really listening. Thank you for your lovely comment - hope you're ok x

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Oh and thanks for the cherries too x

 

Submitted by maggyvaneijk on

This reminds me so much of being a kid, observing the busy movements of others. Stunning work!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Seems to bring out the benefit of extended family regularly around, even though the conversation might be the mix of love and argument, calmness and sparking! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks Maggy, observing feels like a luxury when you reach adulthood!

Calmness and sparking, yes indeed, extended family bring both Rhiannon Thanks for reading.

 

Submitted by celticman on

yeh, I guess memories do ring. 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thank celticman, the past is all a circle.