Together Even When Apart and Three More Poems
Usually a history writer, every so often I write a poem or story that hopefully resonates with others.
Together Even When Apart
New Years Day of thirty eight
Henry and Ivy got married
One year later from stability rent
Hideous war blustered, broke out
Geographically, their love
Had to span bloodshed and miles
But love spoke in ardent whispers
Rain or shine, it was heard
War over, Henry returned home safe
There came a son in to their lives
For them, that was why war was won
Their child to breathe victorious in peace
Time gave them two grandchildren
Two new homes, holidays by the sea
Two daughters in law, one grandson in law
And a great grandson, all they could wish
A silver wedding anniversary passed
The golden was a milestone indeed
They pressed on to reach their diamond
But alas, that was not to be
Henry and Ivy were forced to part
As her life’s strength shrank away
From him, she was bodily gone, gone
Even a second was excruciatingly long
But in his true open heart
He felt her love linger, live on
In his casket of memories she thrived
Ivy, his once constant companion
Often, when the sad echoing
Silence was quietened, mind still
His heart would hear her devoted call
From above in heaven’s great skies
Three years later they met again
As his time on earth drew to a close
He knew it was time, bid the son adieu
Henry smiled and said “She’s here, your mum
She’s come to collect me, my Ivy
To take me home with her
Never more beautiful than on this day
Yes, my love, I hear you, eternity is ours.”
And he too was gone.
Pixabay
Familiarity
Fifty years married
He was tall, dark and handsome
When they’d met
She’d been a brunette
Now she has grey white hair
He’s bald, save for a white wreath
More comfortable in casual clothes
Than in the garments of yesteryear
He takes her dancing
Though he’s never been keen
She goes to his garden shows
To return the thoughtful favour
Twenty five years in separate beds
He kicks in his sleep
She grinds her teeth, he says
Funny they didn’t notice
In the heady days of passion
And bringing up the children
He buys her red roses, a favourite
She cooks him steak and ale pie
They holiday in Tenerife in June
And visit Vienna in the winter
Spend Christmas with their growing family
Their gestures to all wrapped in love
When either looks back
Takes the chance to reminisce
They are assured that the adage
Familiarity breeds contempt
Is a lie. They’re the living proof
That familiarity makes them one
Complete.
Pixabay
The Empty House
They stood in the empty house
Listened to echoes of the past
The children’s laughter and play
Vile rows, sweet reconciliations
The house had been sold
They were moving on
To proverbial pastures new
Fresh adventures beckoning
“Thanks for the memories.”
“Thanks for the quick sale.”
“How did it come to this?”
“We grew apart, that’s all.”
The Decree Nisi was due
The lawyers had done their work
Legalities and settlements
Resided in that house, not them
He looked in to her eyes
Her tears needed no words
It was difficult to breathe
Their life together was over
They’d done most of their grieving
Thought they’d be fine, philosophical
But when they left, closed the front door
That was more than a simple goodbye.
Pixabay
The Thorn
I am the thorn and you are the rose
Gladly, I protect you from life’s foes
Together, in harmony, we’ve grown
And wherever the wind of fortune may blow
My strength will support your elegance, your grace
We belong. We know our rightful place.
I am forever the thorn to your rose
A loyal ally in times of joy and of woe
Whoever we are, whatever the tale
Our closeness I shall always hail
We can’t predict what our futures hold
But fortune must favour you, a bloom so bold.
These poems were taken from my anthology Curious which I published back in 2014 but I thought they deserved to see daylight again. Love and poetry seem made for one another. Thank you for reading.
© 2021 Joanne Hayle
Comments
John Hansen from Gondwana Land on July 15, 2021:
Lovely poems. A most enjoyable read.
Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on July 15, 2021:
Well presented. Nice composition.
