Just One More

Sitting up past midnight

Ears straining for breath without wheeze

Sitting up praying you wouldn’t go with the night.

The intrusion of the telephone breaks

My concentration.

I hear his voice. It is soft

Words almost silent.

I run to him searching his face

And ask for my boots.

‘I wont be long’ I say and

Kiss him softly.

I drive without recollection

A Journey to my new life.

My brother stands weeping

Slouched against the door

My mother sits in stunned silence.

Entering the bedroom I  move to him

And kiss his cold beautiful face

The walls resound grace and

We all stand around in prayer.

We never said goodbye I thought

Was there need? He just knew

Like always I never had to ask.

He left us and the breathing became deeper

The lark had flown leaving

A young child to live on.

I still long for one more minute

To see his dark brown eyes

His smile

To hear him laugh –

Just one more minute

To say goodbye…

Angela M.C. D’Alton© 

One of my efforts...I like this one...

Finally

Woke up this morning and everything was covered in snow...Not just a flutter but good crisp deep snow.

On a morning like this living high up on the side of a mountain you have the breathtaking view of the valley below and the Comeragh Mountains on the other side all covered in a white blanket. 

It was early but I threw on a warm coat, socks and boots and took the camera outside.

Everywhere was silent. I wanted to venture into the woods at the side of the house but could see deer so I stayed in the garden.

 It felt so good to be outside enjoying the change in weather. It must have snowed quite a bit as the branches were heavy with it.  Branches like this always remind me of the poem by Thomas Hardy - Snow in the Suburbs.  'Every branch big with it, bent every twig with it.  ' What marvellous consonance and alliteration.

I walked out to the gate. Looked like only one or two cars had been up or down the road this morning.

I enjoyed every flake knowing that in a few hours without more showers this would all be gone. My cat Santana had followed me on my photo shoot not for the beauty but because she wanted to be fed. She deserved it so I fed her and my friends the birds. How blessed I am.

Everyone fed..now time for a good cup of tea.

P.S.

I know we cant live in the past but yesterday was one of the best days in a while. I had lunch with my two amazing sons in my favourite eating place L'Atitude 51 served by the insatiable and beautiful Simone and Sadhbh. After lunch we strolled over to one of my favourite shops in Cork - Brown Thomas to meet friends Terri (now a Sadie - married lady) and Rachel. The treat was to be made up by none other than Lancome's very own elite Marc Sinclair. You just have to love him not only because he is a genius but hes fun and gorgeous with it. He has made up some of the most beautiful and prestigious women in the world including Angelina Jolie, Judi Dench, Julie Andrews, and Kate Middleton to name just a few...But yesterday for a whole hour I was on the red carpet.  It was such a great buzz. When Brown Thomas and Lancome put on an event they really do a proper job, top people, champagne, chocolates, love and laughter. Despite the fact I dont drink or eat chocolate it didnt matter...even the glass of water was delicious.  Hugs and kisses, our goodbyes, drove home, had a delicious curry which believe it or not I made myself and watched The Good Wife.   I did enjoy my day.

Last night I finished reading H is for Hawk by Helen McDonald.....What a wonderful read. I cant recommend it highly enough. So if you havent read it go out, buy it and read it.  It wont be like anything you have ever read before which is its charm. Its quite a while since a book has touched my heart and my mind in such a glorious natural way.  I am sad I have finished it.  Today I feel lonely without it and I am thinking a lot of my father. I had the most fantastic father and the best of relationships and even though he has been dead a long time now...25 years well 26 this year I can still hear him laugh and see his handsome smiling face. And remember his love of nature and music. I can see him standing in our back garden feeding a robin from his hand.
On these kind of days while I take a break before my next read I head off with my camera. Here are some of my images. Hope you enjoy them...Dont forget to go buy H is for Hawk , read it and then tell all your friends....

Black Shadow on the Hillside

The grass is now growing

Where you lay.

The primroses I planted

To give you colour

To give me hope

Have receded with the snow

That for a while kept you warm.

This hillside will always be yours -

Your tracks and trails, your scent

Has marked the territory

Forever yours.

The woods so deep and dark

You conquered without fear

The stream you crossed or

Maybe chose the wooden bridge

To bring you home.

The joy we felt

From the love you gave

Forever faithful.

The paths are silent where you walked

The warm spots empty

Where you lay all summer long -

And the box deep inside the hay barn

Where you sheltered from the rain

An empty reminder now obsolete.

The fox stopped dropping by

But the cat stayed and the birds

Still sing.

Too long you shared your love

Sometimes we hear you in the silence

Always ready to run and play

Sometimes we see your shadow

Sometimes this, sometimes that.

But everyday we think of you

And remember –

Forever love.

.

The day dawns with dread

I feel you lurking in the shadows

A cool breeze gives respite to

My tortured mind

Too soon I am back inside-

Inside - outside

I am behind these prison walls

Another day you keep me here

Locked away from loving life

In chains I drag my feet slowly

Slower each day

I standstill now unable to move

Body and mind frozen in time.

I am on the inside

Yet I am free

Eight years is a long time

Inside or outside these prison walls

You committed the crime

Yet I am paying

For not being part

Of the plan

You wanted for me

I am  inside and free because I am light

You are  outside a prisoner

Of your own darkness

Acceptance

Angela M.C. D’Alton

I am Born

I am born; I am born of you -

You lying in this sterile faded ward -

One of many-

In a building echoing sounds

Of old hunger, suffocating air and decay.

Time passes here -

Slowly, quickly - does it matter?

She stares into shapes-

Oblivious to voices once familiar.

Gently I stroke her hand.

She smiles like a child -

I remember when I was the child

And she held mine.

Her skeletal form rests on the white linen sheets -

And as I trace each finger with my own

Tears blind my thoughts of -

Loving worlds made with her hands.

She is peaceful and smiles.

Did she say my name?

I move closer

Softly I kiss her thin white forehead.

'I love you Mam.' -

Words tumble through my tears.

An echo - 'I love you too'

Spoken with a smile but -

Without recognition.

Looking at her as I leave

Seeing her

Just lying, smiling, waiting -

I think -

I know you do Mam

You always did.

Angela M.C. D'Alton

 

New start

Today, well a few moments ago to be precise I finished my short story for the RTE competition. 
I dont really like competition in the arts but thought I would have a go anyway.
I'm not really a short story writer. ,The limit for this was 2,000 words. That normally would be very difficult for me. But my new story Milly, is only 1200. Not sure if thats going to be enough.  Will take another look at it later.  For now I am just happy to be writing again.