Harbouring The Bones of History

Discovering more about family. Great Aunt Winnie died at 17, had led a sheltered and innocent life and yet ...

I meet her, eye to eye

for the first time.

Pallid, pure and coy at seventeen,

like a small bird with a broken wing

singing a sad song.

I've found Winnie.

Framed in black bleakness,

her Edwardian portrait,

delicate in monochrome,

features of fine fragility.

Suitcase hidden,

brown leather, grazed with the years,

belt secured, brass buckled history,

reeking of ancestral dust.

I know her fate,

an ending of sorrow.

Her tomorrows numbered,

encumbered by consumption.

In a bundle ribbon tied, 

letters from a bible thumping Minister.

Pious unforgiving,

summoned to save her teenage soul,

to make her whole

in the months before her demise.

Tears for the fears she must have endured.

Page after page of visits and prayers,

believing herself a sinner,

not winning favour with her Lord.

And yet on that final day,

it is said, she sat up in bed,

raised her arms above her head

and died reaching out to Heaven.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Made me think of one of my own paternal aunts who died young of TB (I wonder how many younger readers know consumption was the old name for it.) in a local asylum in the 1930's. The vivid picture you have painted makes us almost able to see Winnie. Yes, and the "comfort" of those old time guilt mongering preachers surely could not have made her final struggle any easier, despite the upbeat quality of the last verse. A really moving piece here.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. When I read the letters about what that child had to endure, her fully knowing she was dying, it made me feel physically ill. Those were the hell fire and brimstone days. Pleased you could relate these lines to one of your own.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Your family search and reminiscence from photographs feels very real given the detail and description you pack into the verse. Simply adore the first stanza!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. I have written several pieces on family members after carrying out research. This one is a new poem, but some I wrote ten years ago. I like the idea of bringing them back to life, even if it's just for a short while. My tribute to them. Many thanks.

Chris

[LazerRays]

Shame how good people are rejected by others claiming their morals make them sinners. And all along they're quite the opposite. This girl had a good mind. This poem makes me sad, it strikes me in a way I can't explain. Like I see that girl everyday... Very deep!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sarah. It is a sad poem and reflects a time where there was much fear in religion. Punishment for your sins.

Chris

[Anjeline]

Beautifully written dear Chris( as always). I really liked the line -Her tomorrows numbered. I don't know why
but to me the line itself says a lot. It somewhere tells the condition of everyone and everything, specially the old. I liked the poem a lot. Great work👍

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Anjeline. Pleased you enjoyed the poem. I really appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Anjeline]

You're welcome 😊

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice take on history. Sadly I don’t know my family history.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you JungLee. I have written quite a few poems about my family history. Sad you don't know anything of yours.

Chris

[Carthage Thorne| The Wi..]

This poem is a beautiful tear-bringer, sad but lovely in that it is like seeing this person but at the same time witnessing the death. The flow was nice too, takes the reader on a journey through this heavy memory. Nicely done! Look forward to seeing more of your works.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your very encouraging review. So pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Dave]

Thank God - for the most part times have changed dramatically. It is so difficult to think that a man of the cloth would torture a young person, on their deathbed, with the prospect that they were unworthy of going to Heaven. I can't imagine the anguish you must have felt reading her letters.

I find myself very sensitive to these kind of things. Several years ago while chaperoning a group of 8th graders In Washington, D.C. we stopped at the Vietnam War Memorial. One of the girls in our group of about a dozen teenagers pulled a letter from one of the cracks and asked me to read it to the group. It was a three page letter from a teen aged girl to her father whom she never met, his being killed in Nam. She told him of all the wonderful things they would do when he got back home and it went on and on.
I couldn't read any more than about two thirds of the first page, I was bawling. All of the students, boys and girls were crying as well as the civilians who had been listening. Needless to say we quietly folded it back up and placed it back from where it had come from.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Dave, it is unbelievable today, to think this was probably the norm back then. Thank you for sharing that wonderful story about the Vietnam War Memorial, with your students. That had me in tears too, thinking about it. What a sacrifice He made, and the knock on effect that lasts generations. All good wishes.

Chris

[Dave]

You too - I'm always pleased to find something from you here.
Take care - Dave

[richieb]

Chris,
This is a truly heart touching poem. To say it is well written does not give your words their just reward.
"Like a small bird with a broken wing singing a sad song". Most creative imagery. Your words were finely balanced and told this sad story with dignity. I loved the ending, proving once again that man is unjust in his quest to judge. Thank you for this fine piece.
Blessings,
Richie b.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Richie b. I really appreciate your thoughtful review.

Chris

[Dara]

This is a very poignant, bittersweet tribute to your brave aunt. It is sad to know how she must have suffered physically and emotionally with the minister filling her with thoughts of hell and damnation. Yet, in the end she is described as dying with her hands reached up to Heaven. Perhaps she was given a ethereal vision before she took her last breath and was able to go in peace. We can always hope. Really enjoyed this write Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dara, I also hope she had that vision. I really appreciate your visit and your sympathetic review.

Chris

[Stella Armour]

Aww bless, poor girl what a tragic way to die.

My grandmother died of TB as well, a long drawn out illness for many.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella, sad times. My little tribute, so at least my great aunt is not forgotten.

Chris