LOVE CANNOT LAST.

A BOY AND HIS AUNTIE IN EIRE IN THE 1950S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love cannot last, Auntie
Said, walking you back
To camp where Uncle

 

Was stationed, her hand
Gripping yours, her voice
Carrying over hedges and

 

Fields, disturbing birds,
Causing their flight, all
Love dies, she added,

 

Looking down at you, her
Eyes hawk like, peering.
She had many sayings

 

Like that, uttered out
Loud, sharp as blades,
Piercing as needles:

 

Always stand when a
Lady enters the room,
Although none ever

 

Did, only Auntie or
Now and then, Gran,
On her short stopovers,

 

But you always stood
Soldier like, stiff, with
Arms at your side. Don’t

 

Talk with your mouth full,
She’d say over dinner,
Jabbing the table with

 

Her middle finger, her
Voice reaching out to
You like a drowning man,

 

And the dog in its basket
Peering out, whining softly,
Wanting its supper, and you

 

Shaking your head and licking
Your lips, watching as Auntie
Waddled from the table as

 

A duck from water, saying
Over her shoulder, to none
In particular, love cannot last,

 

All love dies, and her voice
Rose up high and drowned
Out the old dog’s cries.

Reviews

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I am setting here wondering what to say other than I love it.
I can say that it touched me . Through your description and imagery I could see
Auntie..hear her.. So strict and demanding ..the last verse, it gives me a feeling of sadness.. I enjoyed this poem of childhood restrictions and demands , sayings.. love cannot last? I disagree with Auntie.

Chloe