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Saturday 12 September 2015

DAHLIAS

Within the dahlias a vision of him
beguiles my senses:
a beloved image flitting from flower to flower
like a butterfly on a summer's day
that I so long to follow.

There are petals on his shoulders
and lodged in his braces.
His eyes scrutinise cottage windows
anxiously seeking my mother's younger face,
and his countenance crushes my heart.

No one can stop him waiting here,
although he is so tired of waiting.
He longs to take her again in his arms,
to escape the bitter loneliness of limbo.
Yet he remains as always.
Always in this eternal moment,
in his army uniform,
all the years between forgotten.

The garden is in full bloom as it was then,
just after the war.
But new people tend it now.
A profound love of dahlias
               has brought us all here
                                 to this surreal intersection,
where all I can do is observe
four strangers having a barbecue...
and share my father's anguish.

27 comments:

  1. ... seems to me that u are revisiting ur "old" homestead ... and memories come flooding in ... I don't have that ... you are lucky ... Love, cat.

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    1. Yes, been doing that a lot recently, Cat...reminiscing about times gone by.
      Not sure why...perhaps facing an uncertain future...and looking back provides a small measure of comfort...

      Many thanks.:)

      A Hug.

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  2. I’m like how the remembering is framed within the observations.. Wonderful emotional imagery.

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    1. Thank you so much, Anthony.
      So glad you liked this...makes the writing all the more worthwhile! :)

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  3. This is so beautifully written, glad I clicked through from Lorraine's blog. Have a great weekend, G

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  4. This is so beautifully written, glad I clicked through from Lorraine's blog. Have a great weekend, G

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    1. Hi Geraldine...and thank you so much for your visit.
      I really appreciate your kind comment...it is so appreciated!

      Wishing you a fabulous weekend too...:))

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  5. The garden is in full bloom as it was then,
    just after the war.
    But new people tend it now.
    A profound love of dahlias
    has brought us all here
    to this surreal intersection,

    This is SO awesome - and such visuals - makes me want to go google dahlias and soak in their beauty. wow Ygraine -great poem

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    1. Oh wow...Sandy...thank you so, so much!
      These kind words have really made my day.:))

      Again...my heart-felt thanks...xoxoxo

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  6. Memories...lovely and bittersweet.
    We cannot go back and it is hard to move on.
    Ghostly images of time past that become part of the wind.
    To blow away and someday to return again~

    This is so heart-wrenching, my dear Ygraine, and yet so beautiful.
    Is it, perhaps, written for William Barnsley Allen?

    Big Hugs and Lots of Love
    xoxoxo

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    1. Oh thank you, dearest Jan...so very much.
      Just had to capture that moment...the strong impressions and emotions.
      It was written for my late father...

      Lots of Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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  7. Your took me on this trip down YOUR memory lane. Thanks! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Really great to have you back, CiL...and hope you had a fabulous break!
      Many thanks.:))

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  8. Memories....wow, Ygraine! Thank you so much for this great portrayal!

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  9. Memories....wow, Ygraine! Thank you so much for this great portrayal!

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    1. So happy you enjoyed, Linda!
      And many thanks for your visit.:))
      xoxoxo

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  10. Gosh Ygraine that's a heartbreaker, I feel for you...oh gosh love and hugs always xoxoxo

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    1. I have to admit...it did bring a tear to my eye when I wrote it.
      I sometimes miss my father so much.:(

      Many thanks, Sweetie.

      Much Love & Hugs xoxoxo

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  11. it I so would not want the existence of a shade. caught between life and whatever else because of unfinished business. that it is your father and you know it is rather heart tugging

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    1. Yes...pretty sad really.
      I often feel his presence around me, especially at times of crisis.
      I can't honestly say I feel he is "resting in peace"...:/

      Many thanks, "X"...really appreciated! :)

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  12. This is such a poignant, evocative, and powerful post, Ygraine. I felt it in my core. Much love to you, MW

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    1. Oh thank you, "MW"...so much! :)

      Sending much Love & Hugs to you too...:))

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  13. Just had to let you know that I am tired of feeling sorry for myself.
    I may have a set-back or two, but I do believe that I have made it over the hump now.
    When I think of all that you and your hubby are going through, I am ashamed that I have carried on the way I have. You are so much stronger than I, dearest Ygraine. To you I apologize most of all~

    Big Hugs and Much Love
    xoxoxo

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    1. Dearest Jan...please don't ever feel that you need to apologize. What you have been feeling, I often feel too...it is just who we are. We are sensitives, and sometimes that can be a curse as well as a blessing.:/

      Oh gosh...I am definitely not strong!
      Some days are better than others though. Sometimes I feel quite optimistic about the future...but then the doubts and worries crowd in, and I suddenly feel broken.
      I find the waiting the hardest part.
      His condition is now critical, and we have been assured that the op will be over by Christmas, so I am trying to visualize the very best outcome...

      But what I want right now is to thank you...for caring...and for your support.
      My dear, dear friend...your kindness means more than you will ever know.

      I do so hope this message finds you feeling a lot better.
      My thoughts and my love are with you always.:)

      Big Hugs xoxoxo



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  14. So happy you like this, Boris!
    Thank you so much.:))

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  15. Memories! So beautifully written!

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I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)