Rising

I dreamt you held me

I'd never fall

Now I cant hear a thing beyond your haunting call

I will nourish you as you once nourished me

Rising

With the light of the sun

You offered friendship

A space to grow

You taught me the greatest parts of all the things I know

I heard the stories  about you before

Those stories stayed with me and will forever more

Days before Christmas, I fell ill.

Fever, chills, and little appetite.

The night before Christmas Eve I endured a ball of piercing pain in my stomach.

It slowly moved up to my chest.

My family and I were watching our traditional Christmas movie.

The pain was so unbearable and scary, I could not sit.

I got off my chair and began to pace around the room clutching my stomach and heart.

That morning my neighbor had died of a heart attack.

Was I having a heart attack?

I didn't know.

The pain left me frightened  so I began to shake like a leaf.

My mother put a blanket on me - and the shaking stopped.

The next morning, I awoke feeling better but weak and tired.

With a heavy heart, I realized this Christmas Eve would be different.

I was so looking forward to eating all the good food - but knew I would not be able to eat much of it this year.

Trying to keep my spirits up, I dressed in my finest.

While getting ready, something caught my eye in my bedroom.

There it was. Shining away in the sun.

It was a small pin on my vanity.

My heart swelled.

Lovingly, I put it on my sweater and the moment I pinned it on - I felt better.

This pin wasn't an ordinary pin.

It was an Easter Lilly.

Carved on the flower were the years 1916 - 2016.

The year had been hard, but my pin reminded me of how lucky I was.

It had been 100 years since the Rising in Ireland. This year I had gotten to go to Ireland. I got to pay respects to Sean Heuston - someone who meant the world to me.

Previously, I had dreams of Sean who was in the Rising.

He was one of the youngest to be executed, and he changed Irish history.

Dreams of a dead man might frighten most people - but he made me feel loved.

He made me feel better. He made me feel safe.

As 2016 comes to an end, I have vowed to remember him and carry on his life.

Every once in a while I get the feeling there is more than what I know.

I get the notion he is watching over me.

Guiding me.

Loving me from afar - just as he said he would in my dreams.

Witnessing the 100 year mark in Irish history humbled me.

I'll never forget standing alone in the yard where Sean's life was taken. 

All the tourists had gone. There was no one to be seen.

And for one small moment, I could feel magic in the air.

Though I was sick - I realized that life could be worse.

Due to his courage and love for his country, a brave man was killed.

A brave man who would never see the Christmas Eves he should've gotten to see.

(If you're interested in my dreams of the man above feel free to read "Finding Heuston")

Author's Note

Reviews

[Meshalini]

An interesting poem...

Love it very much....

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing story. History. Family or not. Always interesting to me.
Coyote

[Valentine]

All of the countries in the British Isles have been through a lot for hundreds of years. More should be interested in history. Valentine

[barleygirl]

I'm always very interested to read about the history of other countries . . . not a big history buff, but it's very interesting when described in human terms like you've done so well here. Your total posting is like a meandering journey from poetic inspiration to dire holiday illness with forced abstaining from all the good eats, & then the clear explanation of your inspiration. I like the way you touched on many things at once, like showing us yourself & your thoughts openly. Very compelling.

[wordman]

touching and profound write

[HeyJadeXO]

very inspirational write !.great job

[Tony Jordan]

To many including their own countrymen they were traitors but they lit the spark that eventually freed Ireland.
I love the transition here from your own journal to the story of dreaming of Heuston.
I had the lurgey over Xmas too - it must have been a pandemic!!
I hope that your angel looks out for you this year Kathryn and your other dreams come true.
Happy 2017 my friend.

[Kathryn Smith]

Thanks Tony. Yikes! You were sick too? Hope youre feeling better. :)

Happy New Year!
Thanks for all you've done for me. :)

[Tony Jordan]

You are too sweet Kathryn.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
(hugs)