Woman of Small Histories

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Thu, 27 Jan 2011
  • 2926 reads
17 comments
 

She was
the prayer of hope
she wrote
that Christmas
before the war...

blue-bags
and mangles
chintzy pinafores;
a recorder
of ‘his’ first steps
and ‘her’ last words...

a hoarder
of poems, of diaries
letters, and cards
from sisters, lovers
husbands and friends...
of champagne corks
of tailor’s chalk...

a raconteur –
her stories, told
again and again...
homespun recipes
apple-pies
chocolate-brownies
upside down
and marble cake...

the voice
of ‘On a Clear Day’ –
a teacher, extraordinaire;
a connoisseur
of out-dated
dance-steps...
the Charleston,
the foxtrot, the waltz
and the samba...

the lullabies
I sang to him
he sings to his kids...
the kiss goodbye
at the garden gate
and the fruit-drop
wrapped in a doily...

the ashes
I scattered
at the top of the ben...
and that long
walk back.

Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Love

Comments

Submitted by Beeme on
Extremely moving Tina and beautifully told, especially the last stanza. I like all of the little details about her life, a very poignant poem :] Beeme xx

k.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thank you, Beeme. This in fact was my dear mother-in-law, who was quite some character. An amazing lady who made it to her ninety-second year;-) Tina xx

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on
Hi Tina, Funny how easily we would forgive the stories told again and again, in fact love the retelling in the end, my nan was like this, so glad now because if she had told them once, how many would have stayed with me? I really liked this one. ATB Fatboy.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
You're right there, FB. Glad you enjoyed;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
SundaysChild - thanks;-) Tina

 

Submitted by seashore on
You do these so well, Tina - I mean the family portrait pieces. Oh you know what I mean. Lovely.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Yes, I know what you mean, only too well;-) Thank you, Coral;-) Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Tina, I am glad I held out with my comment on this poem, because I was going to ask you who the woman was, now you have explained that it was your mother-in- law, I can now understand it alot better. A very fitting tribute to her, memories it seems of a wonderful woman. Thankyou so much for the read. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
You're welcome, Jenny;-) She was very special, and all the things I mention, and much more. Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed. Tina

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-Spun-Sand Yes,Tina I can tell by the way you have explained your mother-In-Laws life and things. How marvellous she was The lovely Apple pies,Brownies, Marble cake. And all 92 is good age. My nan 94 very clever too Toffee apples, bread pudding,lacemaker,paper flowers,patchwork quilt, no wonder I was always there after school.And sometimes when I was in an office and getting workers shopping waiting fish queque go down I would pop in.Nan was on switchboard in war time.Mum big family so not so talented times were hard then wern't they. Memories. I am a hoarder bit too.Even now. After central heating put in room is changed around. Thanks lovely poem story, just seen the cherry! well deserved julie xx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Glad you enjoyed, Julie;-) Have a good weekend. Tina xx

 

Submitted by rjnewlyn on
Quite amazing how you can fit so much into so little; every word, every image counting for so much. Reads like the wind's whispering. Rob

 

Submitted by barryj1 on
Nice! Very visual. All the words struck a respondent chord.

barryj1

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Barry - I'm really pleased it struck a chord for you and thanks for telling me;-) Tina

 

Submitted by JoseHdz on
love it.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Jose, many thanks;-) Cheers, and I hope you have a great weekend. Tina

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Rob - what a lovely thing to say... 'like the wind's whispering'. Thanks, so much;-) Tina