A Golden Era
31st August 2023
“How did that happen” is a catch phrase of our grandchildren. Almost in the blinking of an eye, fifty years have passed since our wedding. How did that happen with such speed. The humps and bumps of adverse fortune have passed. Changes unimaginable have occurred, and here we are together. Still having something to say to each other; still able to make jokes and have fun; still able to enjoy whatever is on offer. I am beyond grateful, and this prompted the piece below. The illustration was commissioned by our daughter, Sorcha, with a contribution of pebbles collected by me, unknowingly, in the South of France where we spend a lot of time. It represents all of us present and not. A wonderful gift.
Meditation on Lives Melded Together
This day your dad walked you down the long aisle,
freesia adorned, silk gowned;
placed us side by side where we have been
for fifty years, and so we are golden together.
We created warm homes, delightful children;
had a myriad paths of labour, sufficient wealth,
gifted to grow each other. We were also battered
by unbearable loss, and serious threats of health.
In the way that the soft metal of gold
reshapes to its new order, so did we.
Into the melting pot of change, poured out
into re-formed ways of living.
We relish the affection of our grandchildren,
in the new quarters of the no longer our home;
are sun kissed in our Med hideaway;
talk, laugh, love, are grateful for our given days
All told, we are reshaped well together.
Joyeux anniversaire d'or mon amour.
Peter Clarke
25th August 2023
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