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Fabrice Monaci

Fabrice Monaci

August is a terrible month (still)

August is a memory month. It starts with my sister and brother-in-law’s wedding anniversary on 31st July; my Ma’s anniversary on 6th August; my grandson’s birthday on 8th August; our wedding anniversary on 25th and my daughter and her husband’s on 26th. The list goes on. However, the outstanding date of memory has to be the death of our daughter, Aoife on 1st August 2004, fifteen years ago.

Time has calmed the waters, grandchildren have ameliorated the loss, but healing and recovery are much less certain. The whole of July builds up to the date and on the day we have a warm remembrance at the bench with a plaque to her memory in Malahide Castle. It includes a champagne picnic. What other way is there? Every year, in a quiet space during that time, a poem like this emerges. It always does.

So read, enjoy, pass on and send me feedback.

Aoife

There is a tiny, dark room in my mind

that is hers, her things randomly stored.

Locked tight with a weave of oldness,

as a kind of worn, unworkable bolt.

The rest of me gives it a wide berth,

fearing the effects it might have on me

should any of its contents be let loose,

even after this time, as I think of her.

Peter Clarke

August 2019

Comments

Phil

09.11.2019 18:20

Captures the daily swirl well Peter. Happy upcoming birthday!

Tom McLoughlin

19.10.2019 20:00

I was there when you returned after your cycle and I must say you hid your exhaustion well. Either that or you are really fitter than you suggest !

Margaret Dromey

27.08.2019 22:46

Aoife is very often in my thoughts. As are you, Margot, Sorcha and extended family. Your tribute to Aoife is beautiful.

Clíodhna

16.08.2019 09:10

I know exactly what you mean. Thank you for this gem. Love Clíodhna

Kathryn

15.08.2019 15:43

Really nice Peter

Aidan

15.08.2019 13:47

Very beautiful. Thank you, Peter

Fíona

15.08.2019 13:29

I love it Peter...so poignant, restrained yet brimming with emotion.
X

Pearl

15.08.2019 12:38

Beautiful

Latest comments

25.11 | 22:15

Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.

07.11 | 11:14

Hi Peter,

A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there

Hugs,

John.x

06.11 | 16:24

A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.

06.11 | 15:59

Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.

In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.

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