Visiting Martha

There was an old, rather cracked flower pot in the back garden,

I noticed it as we settled down for a nice cup of tea;

(served in fine bone china naturally.)

"That's a bit like me," she said, catching my glance,

then she smiled and the sun came out.

"but the forget-me nots still come up every year,

they have no fear of tomorrows."

We talked for a while and time skipped

as we sipped our tea, her motions delicate, fragile,

and she mentioned Gordon occasionally.

I'd met him only briefly, 

at a summer picnic organised by the church;

there was still spirit, though a little dimmed

by the years. but I thought, that like the

forget-me-nots, he had no fear of tomorrows.

She hugged me when I left and I felt the life force flowing,

an encapsulation of all that is good in this world;

and the decades fell away, she became a bride again,

Gordon by her side; rapturous, untouched by time

and memory shone a light as luminous 

as the love held in her unfaded eyes.

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

It is interesting how a very personal poem can be so easily related to our own "Martha" - this is a really lovely piece, carefully crafted, with warmth and love.

[Dave Brown]

tea in the back garden relates to our morning ritual only with a coffee substitute
nicely done

[Chris Shaw]

I was drawn to the name Martha because my great Gran shared the same name. Reading your beautiful poem reminded me so much of her gentle ways, refined manners and serving tea in bone china cups. I love to listen to the stories that the elderly relate. They are left with their memories and they want to share them. I am only too happy to listen. I too have a Martha poem. I was really happy to read this, you brought her back to me. Thank you.

[Cherrie Palmer]

It is the small moments in life that you have showcased so well. From the tea to the forget-me nots. I enjoyed this wonderful poem.

[H L Rose]

😭😭😭this is so beautiful! The beginning with the pot and the forget-me nots was simply lovely, and it fits so well with the theme, and I’m too emotional to write a more intricate review. It’s great and sad and hopeful and joyful and lovely and a wonderful narrative. I applaud!

Really glad to read this.

[CD Campbell]

We would all like to have a love like that. Timeless, forgiving of old age. I never get use to your style and compassion. Oh and you write pretty damn too. CD

[Jimmy Yetts]

Profoundly perceptive and really quite lovely.
With the speed of a mere photograph, you smartly, touchingly present a meaningful profile of Martha.
Exceptional work!

[barleygirl]

This is brilliant & beautiful! I could visualize the entire thing, so rich with details & flowing affection. I'm intensely jealous of this, it's such an amazing piece of work! I hope I can summon the sincerity to write such a thing someday! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

You do indeed write beautifully Beccy & these words are no exception. 'Visiting Martha' is filled to overflowing with respect, compassion & love. We have our own Edna down ere in Zummerzet whom we visit often. A very real and very moving write. Seasons Best, N

[h d e rushin]

"to bed with ugly death
in that cold filthy place
to sleep there without you
without that easy breath"

I remembered this poem from high school. It's that human loss is the videography of gardening. the practice of recording images for some later pictorial representation. Vedelicet to say that
for any true inspiration, gardening is permitted.
My mother hums while she does mundane things:
getting the bags of food off the back seat of my car, rearranging the clothes for the rinse cycle in her old washing machine....but always humming. I think gospel songs......I feel some "humming" in this poem. A surcease of sorrow perhaps but a natural getting on with life utterance that widows do with their hands......
You write so beautifully/ dana

[Beccy]

Her words show how disparity of age is no barrier to love.

You are very kind. Beccy.