The 18th of May and here we are, sister Your two elderly siblings, bending to your gravestone With blossoms so fairest- gathered from roadside and gardens - Bouquets that should have been for your 60th birthday. We remember the day you were born The whoop of delight I gave that you were a girl At last our luck was in, now there would be three of us girls, Even stevens with the boys, after eight long years You were never an afterthought – you became our ‘peata beag’. Yes you crowded out the girls room But there was always space enough for all your things, Books and toys, sharing clothes and oh the storytelling Not that you became rooted there, a homebird while we flew the nest No, you spread your wings across countries and continents You saw the whole of the moon For nature was your element You transplanted yourself into a landscape as old as time Fashioned a magical garden that Drew water from an ancient spring And happily counted weeds as survivors. But you did not. As the beast from the East roared Your heart was stilled and ours broken So here we are, our Queen of the May We who are elderly now, you who are not Oh, sister. Where is the luck in that?
Beautiful.
Very moving Eva
A lovely pen portrait of your beautiful sister – so sorry for your loss
What can I say?
Beautiful piece of the written word dedicated to someone special, to a sister. The sentiment, pace and imagery captures the essence of the sister without complex long descriptions. The author has captured a moment many feel in a graveyard when an anniversary occurs.
Delicate and poignant! What a beautiful poem!
Lovely poem, very moving.
Eva that is a beautiful poem you have a wonderful way with words. Thank you for sharing.
Kind wishes Ronnie.
Beautiful poem remembering my own dear sister who passed August 2022. Thank you Eva
Incredibly moving, a lovely tribute to a truly wonderful person who is missed every day