Alan Bainbridge (my beloved Jerry's best mate) died six months ago from Alzheimers. This was their last lunch together...
So Mote it Be
She ushered him through the cafe door -
holding his arm in a practical sort of way.
Never one for self-indulgence,
our Jeanie.
The two Masonic mates shook hands.
They'd been delivering charges
and boozing together since the Sixties.
'Best bloody Ritualist you've ever heard!'
The food was Indian and spicy.
Jeanie held the floor,
prattling on about the practicalities
of moving house after sixty years.
Alan seemed to enjoy his curry,
though his eyes were far away -
lost in a fog of emptiness
none of us could penetrate.
It was a pleasant enough gathering,
with talk of grandchildren
and the excitement of recent snow.
And when we said goodbye
the two old friends held one another
long and close.
Jeanie watched them.
I saw her face tighten...
The six syllables at the end, give title to the picture, your well thought lines of poetry give it a memory, but also give it life, a life times friendship and a last goodbye. Full of Allies abundant compassion.
Glad I caught this one dear Allie - - best mates are so hard to lose and this last meeting is recorded with your usual flair for the minutia which passes most folk by and which you bring into the glare of treasured memory with poetic expertise. Jeannie's face in that last line tells the sad truth.
You take what you see to heart and then turn around and touch our hearts with you have seen.
A poem suffused with honesty and the rawness of reality...Jeanie's practicality pitted against the 'long and close' hug of sentimentality is a master touch enhanced by the spot on closing lines...Allie, your graceful and truthful poetry expresses life as it is, and that means everything to your many awestruck readers. :)
"Jeanie watched them. I saw her face tighten..." love how you closed this!
Bittersweet Alison and you have captured the outing as you always do, with dignity and creativity. A slice of life and I can relate so well to the Masonic part, my husband having been a Master of the craft for the last year, and they do hold special bonds with oneanother. The Alzheimers so difficult for families and friends to cope with, but a lunch like this seemed the best solution for a get-to-gether. The last two lines speak could speak a thousand words...
it seems some things never change....both good and bad.....
Like Sandra said, your pen is like a video camera that it has the exceptional ability to capture the moment with precise expertise. Hmmm, ha haaa, yeah, second stanza was the best one Allie... yet another amusing poem.
Another wonderful poem from a real life observer, sharp and skillful
Hilarious moment indeed to enjoy with friends so! I love such a moment!
You capture the moment in such a matter of fact manner yet manage to keep the reader engaged till the veryend...Another great piece Allie...the final lines are so expressive...
Aww, what an emotional meeting. Sometimes it seems much harder to be just an onlooker, than the one most affected by the tempest itself..