A black umbrella and a hat.

Someone is dying tonight
Somewhere - always.
Life springs forth

Then folds together,
then there are white rocks.

A last drink .... you know just because,
& the unspoken is always spoken (eventually), usually by the least qualified and drunkest person in the room.

A black umbrella, a hat
and, an ill fitting suit.

She brings in the wood
two thick logs under each arm -
Birch I think (actually no, my mind just made that bit up).

I thought she probably carried us like that,
my baby sister and I.

She hums while stacking kindling
Hand over hand like some intricate secret

Then the brilliant flicker
Undoing the dark.

Author's Note

Memories of time spent with my gran. Nearly every holiday my baby sister and I spent with her we were dragged along to a funeral.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Aloha my ohana! I love to look at the awesome picture of you and Kalani- you both look so great and happy! This is a somber, sweet, image-filled poem to remember your beloved gran and the precious time you and your sister spent with her. It is eloquent and almost mystical. They are the sages, the shamans, our grandmothers. Your touching words bring me memories of my own gran who really raised my brother and I. After her mother died in Italy, she always dressed in black and read the obituaries in the newspaper out loud to us at the kitchen table. I miss her greatly as you miss your gran. We didn't understand then. I understand now. Memories are so bittersweet. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem and piece of your life.

[Island Hippy]

And it’s lovely to see you smiling back at us!

The obituaries- oh dear lord.... lol I thought we were the only ones that had a gran that did that! It’s funny how the memories we have of some people seem utterly bizarre but it’s not until much later that you realize it was what made your time with that person so precious. We would spend holidays is England every few years and while mom and pop caught up with extended family Mahalia and I stayed with gran having all sorts of adventures. My sister spoke at our grans funeral and shared that memory of always going to funerals and her taking us to a thrift store to find funeral appropriate ‘dress’ - I erupted with laughter in a church full of stiff English mourners. She would have loved that I think. While her friends whispered oh they’re American haha. I’ve ranted, but what a stellar review and lovely stroll down memory lane. Mahalo & aloha always my ohana xxx

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Love the sharing- it was much missed my Ohana sister Izzy. We are moving Thursday, so am in crunch mode right now. Will not be on-site much, but know I am thinking of you. Xo

[Island Hippy]

Another adventure begins 😉 travel beautifully ohana, enjoy the scenery as you go. Many aloha to you Walt and pup x

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Xoxo:)))))

[barleygirl]

One of the most original poems I’ve ever read about death, dying, mourning or anything of the like. Your sporadic observations are like bright punches in the dim light of loss. You draw unexpected visuals with your words, such as the carrying of logs being compared to carrying kids. Love your unvarnished conversational tones, which seem to convey the naturalness of passing more than the sadness (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Island Hippy]

Many mahalo Margie - great review, really sincere genuine commentary! Made me smile.

[Chris Shaw]

Memories of your gran filtering through with the replays of the funerals. I like how you also remember her lighting the fire, and undoing the darkness. Bitter/sweet comes to mind here. When memories of my own grans come through I am filled with a source of comfort. With old age comes death, and your gran had reached the stage where death seems to come more frequently. I have noticed that myself as I get older, more funerals to attend each year.

Chris

[Island Hippy]

That is very true we are laying to rest an entire generation it feels a bit like all the wisdom in the world is declining. My gran was quirky but so incredibly kind, I loved that some of her life long friends said they saw a lot of her in me. Mahalo for sharing your thoughts.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, it is laying to rest a whole generation and your gran would have been very much aware of her own mortality. Pleased to share thoughts.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

love the last 2 lines so beautiful
love this poem

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Julie, I’m sorry I missed this earlier, mahalo your words are very kind.

[Onlyme]

Imprinted on your brain and heart, reminders of these.

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Dee, imprinted - yes, they become wonderful stories to tell my little guy. Mahalo, Izzy

[Paul Bell]

Mummy, how's Kalani doing. Keeping you young.
Sort of remember getting dragged to funerals as I was younger.
Got it written in stone now. No black to be worn when I die.
Though that won't be for a hundred years yet.

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Paul🙂 I plan to be around that long too! Kalani is a cracker haha, happy little fella. Sat with me and watched the football this morning (ENG) wasn’t a great game the other side was pretty average but my boy loved it. He’s finding his feet taking a few steps so he keeps me fit ....haha. Sorry proud mommy rant. Mahalo for visiting xx

[Paul Bell]

That's great. He'll be running soon. Keep you even more fit.

[송지ፏ..]

Very nice, I wished I had grandparents like that since they basically disowned me. I don't have any memorable things from my past besides the friends I made.

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo I appreciate your time.

[Giulia King]

"Someone is dying tonight
Somewhere - always.
Life springs forth"
Absolutely beautiful written. I loved reading this precious poem and I'm happy I found you :)

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Giullia, thank you for your time and kind words, they are appreciated. I look forward to reading your offerings. Mahalo, Izzy.

[emmajoy]

'..She hums while stacking kindling ~ Hand over hand like some intricate secret .. '

Oh my, there are so many wonderful women writers on/in this site these days.. people who write with elegance and enormous sincerity - and you are one. Dear Izzy, it's wonderful to have you have time again to add your own brand of emotion, of gentleness, or love. Grandmothers are what new mothers should be when the become first time mothers! So said a friend of mine - who knows a thing or two. We have two extraorindary grannies.. such different characters, to explain, one dear and sweet lady wore white gloves to church every Sunday; the other rarely went to church but was one of the most giving people ever!

[Island Hippy]

Ka aloha ai’ mahele nui - mahalo! Thank you for sharing Em, I love the aloha in your memories, and had a chuckle as well - beautiful. I can relate to your grans very well my UK gran was quirky went to church on occasion but lived a life steeped in generosity. My island gran was a devout catholic but equally kind.
Wonderful sage advice/wisdom that lovingly wraps up the heart aspirations of first time moms, I like that very much. Much aloha x

[emmajoy]

Perhaps grannyhood is a special place to be, its memories seem to be everything precious. Yes, Judy's comment that new mummies could do with having a granny's experience and wisdom made so much sense!

Much aloha to you tood, dear Izzy. Will find you when back from Italy. Hugs and smiles to you and your darlings.. (if allowed!)