Requiem for Marjorie
Reads: 1505 | Likes: 3 | Shelves: 3 | Comments: 5
Poem by: misshavisham
"A third of the way along"
Says Marjorie.
Issuing orders as usual.
"Excess moisture must always be removed."
I'm reminded vaguely of a song
I once heard.
I do hope you liked the outfit I chose for you.
Do you remember when you met us in France?
You were small and frail and not at all the monster
I'd earlier feared.
My mother in law.
Just what does that mean?
You knew all the Latin names of plants
And filled out your days with invented chores.
Digging in your garden
Polishing and rinsing
Re-arranging your living room
Ready for the neighbours tour.
And last year
On one breezy day in July
We sat outside on your birthday
Feasting on tea and sandwiches.You were ninety two.
"Would you like to be my bridesmaid dear?"
You said.
"I'm getting married soon."
"My Grandfather's coming to the wedding"
I nodded and threw the birds
A solitary crust of bread.
Frail and bent
Imprisoned in a care home,
You held my hand and would not let go.
And later,
Standing among the marshes
We scattered your ashes.
And sent
You back into your heartland
A place where I hoped you were once happy
And earlier I peered into your coffin
You wore the outfit I chose for you
And I saw your hand
The one that held mine
That freezing January day
When you smiled at me.
But I could do nothing for you
Then.
So I told you Goodbye
For you gave me no sign
That it was the last time.
© Copyright 2020 misshavisham . All rights reserved.
Comments
Another good poem. Strange how some of the scariest people become friends at the end.
Very moving. I liked it a lot.
Beautiful
Very atmospheric and evocative
Very moving. Well done!
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