I certainly didn't think that retirement was going to have this blast-off, but there we go. We are where we are and with great difficulty have to make something of it. It is the season and part of the season for us is a birthday that we have been celebrating for forty-nine years now. I wrote this for Margot. I hope you enjoy it and share it and comment on it.
A SETTLED DAY
Now mornings find us
in a reshaped room,
the new tenancy.
Coffee and cookies,
two seats at window,
madam perched between;
her rounded face, her
sharp demanding look;
grandchild boss, bottle
in hand; our every
day birthday blessing.
Peter Clarke
17th December 2020
Rosy Wilson
01.02.2021 19:38
Beautiful poem Peter, very concise and complete, I see your window seat granddaugter boss in between you and Margot, your love and delight in the baby.
Heinz and Jutta Rohlfing, Hagen.
01.01.2021 09:36
We live it. Greetings to Margot.
Bríd Kennedy
26.12.2020 10:22
Lovely moment captured.
Pauline Lynch
21.12.2020 10:45
Could picture the scene perfectly.
Clíodhna
20.12.2020 22:19
Lovely Peter!
Jane Kingsford
20.12.2020 22:14
Charming and touching, Peter. Thanks for sharing.
Triona Mc Morrow
20.12.2020 21:20
Ps! Would you consider putting a comma after the first word, Now?
T
Triona Mc Morrow
20.12.2020 21:12
Peter,
Lovely, loving poem, a great celebration of inter generational livingT
I love the phrase “in a reshaped room”, I am thinking it is a description of a changed way of life! T
t
Phyl Herbert
20.12.2020 21:12
Great poem Peter. Encapsulates a life cycle with joy.
Margaret D
20.12.2020 20:53
I love it Peter. Keep them coming
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.
Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields
Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:
Posts and cones positioned to mark territories
Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots
clad and shod for the ensuing battles
Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,
then marked off into opposing teams
Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls
in further exercises to bring them to fit levels
There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,
responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm
Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,
to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs
Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play
the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit
For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line
till fitness returned and they were entered back into play
Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,
novices flagged and regrouped across the fields
Between bouts came the talks of encouragement
Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.
Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,
a gift of generous wisdom gladly given
Peter Clarke
20th April 2024