Yesterday we invited family and friends to lunch in celebration of Jerry's eightieth. Today, life has pretty much returned to normal.
Feeding the Animals
I watch you pottering in the kitchen -
wiping down the sink
in that slow, deliberate way that is your signature.
'Always leave a room the way you'd like to find it'
Your old mum trained you well.
The cats cruise round your feet,
rubbing furry throats against legs
skinny and scarred from recent surgery.
The dog sits obediently in her corner
(she knows better than to make a fuss)
All Through the Day is crooning
on the sound system.
'I used to sing that' you say
with a far-away look in your eyes.
'E flat too, if memory serves me correctly'
Your mouth softens and a few notes
escape in imitation.
There's something reassuring about the scene
reassuring and very peaceful
on this golden summer afternoon.
humanwoman
wonderful poem
wonderful poem
t.ravindran.
beautiful thoughts and wonderful imagery.thanks. ravi
beautiful thoughts and wonderful imagery.thanks. ravi
Ben Gieske
Enjoyable to read. You provide a real at-home feeling, relaxing and comfortable.
Enjoyable to read. You provide a real at-home feeling, relaxing and comfortable.
Cat
beautiful images, Cat
beautiful images, Cat
humanwoman
it's a moment trapped in golden amber of poetry for people many a days after to look and to wonder how beautiful it has been
it's a moment trapped in golden amber of poetry for people many a days after to look and to wonder how beautiful it has been
Chris Jibero
A home as yours is a beauty and model to behold.Happy birthday to Jerry on his eightieth.
A home as yours is a beauty and model to behold.Happy birthday to Jerry on his eightieth.
Andrew Blakemore
Nobody can capture a scene like you Alison, terrific poem. x
Nobody can capture a scene like you Alison, terrific poem. x
Chaos1214
I could almost see the dog sitting in the corner, looking put upon.
I could almost see the dog sitting in the corner, looking put upon.
Aria
Thank you for taking your reader into this scene...the imagery is incredible, like a vignette or a brief video. Very real! Beautiful write, I look forward to reading more of your poetry.
Thank you for taking your reader into this scene...the imagery is incredible, like a vignette or a brief video. Very real! Beautiful write, I look forward to reading more of your poetry.
yelena
Alison, every time I read your poems I'm in awe not only of your talent as a writer, but also of your compassionate and loving personality. You have a unique heart and spirit, my friend...Thanks for sharing it with us. Yel. :)
Alison, every time I read your poems I'm in awe not only of your talent as a writer, but also of your compassionate and loving personality. You have a unique heart and spirit, my friend...Thanks for sharing it with us. Yel. :)
Susan Jarvis
This admirable poem invites the reader into the heart of a home to see the scene through compassionate and caring eyes. What we see is a tender, enduring love that transcends the rigours of time and hardship and embraces the moment with humble gratitude, and an honesty that touches the heart. Alison, only you could have written this... only you.
This admirable poem invites the reader into the heart of a home to see the scene through compassionate and caring eyes. What we see is a tender, enduring love that transcends the rigours of time and hardship and embraces the moment with humble gratitude, and an honesty that touches the heart. Alison, only you could have written this... only you.
Ken e Hall
Very thoughtful write with natural goings on at a birthday party moments of this captured ..luvli...regards
Very thoughtful write with natural goings on at a birthday party moments of this captured ..luvli...regards
Ron Peat
Catching the glorious moment, nostalgia reassures us we are on the road to all wonders. A wonderful poem that reminds us it is up to us to see the beauty inside each precious moment as it comes our way. A poet friend// RH Peat
Catching the glorious moment, nostalgia reassures us we are on the road to all wonders. A wonderful poem that reminds us it is up to us to see the beauty inside each precious moment as it comes our way. A poet friend// RH Peat
Sana Rose
A beautiful and touching write... Love its simplicity.. And beauty..
A beautiful and touching write... Love its simplicity.. And beauty..
Bob Blackwell
Your poetry is so full of love and compassion and the days events like this. You write about how life is Allie, both the ugly and the golden summer afternooons, I thank you for this.
Your poetry is so full of love and compassion and the days events like this. You write about how life is Allie, both the ugly and the golden summer afternooons, I thank you for this.
Munia Khan
Happy birthday to Jerry again n again n again>>God!! What a sweet couple you are !! And this poem is absolutely great Allie.A darling poet you are !!!Thanks for sharing my friend.
Happy birthday to Jerry again n again n again>>God!! What a sweet couple you are !! And this poem is absolutely great Allie.A darling poet you are !!!Thanks for sharing my friend.
sonetta
bathed in warm golden tones....a portrait of domestic happiness...if it was a photograph, it would be captioned "Home Sweet Home" .....Birthday Greetings to Jerry and a Joyous New Year to you both!!
bathed in warm golden tones....a portrait of domestic happiness...if it was a photograph, it would be captioned "Home Sweet Home" .....Birthday Greetings to Jerry and a Joyous New Year to you both!!
nimal dunuhinga
I see the teenager lovers hand-in-hand, On this golden Summer afternoon!
I see the teenager lovers hand-in-hand, On this golden Summer afternoon!
Prashant Shaurya
it almost seemed like a movie trailer to me.. picturesque and interesting.. happy b-day to Mr. Jerry
it almost seemed like a movie trailer to me.. picturesque and interesting.. happy b-day to Mr. Jerry
Karin Anderson
Sandra alerted to your poem Alison and am so pleased she did. Wish Jerry a happy eightieth from me! My Mother used to talk of an OBE award (Over Bloody Eighty). This poem is written with such dignity and grace where you bring your home to life with love and empathy. My favorite stanza is the second and I just love "The cats cruise round your feet, rubbing furry throats against legs skinny and scared from recent surgery". It's great to read your poetry again~~~
Sandra alerted to your poem Alison and am so pleased she did. Wish Jerry a happy eightieth from me! My Mother used to talk of an OBE award (Over Bloody Eighty). This poem is written with such dignity and grace where you bring your home to life with love and empathy. My favorite stanza is the second and I just love "The cats cruise round your feet, rubbing furry throats against legs skinny and scared from recent surgery". It's great to read your poetry again~~~
Jerry Hughes
...sweetheart, you've got me nostalgic again however, thanks for the descriptive words. Much love, Jez
...sweetheart, you've got me nostalgic again however, thanks for the descriptive words. Much love, Jez
eleanor prince
I'm in awe of the way you share with us the elegant dignity of this gentleman you so clearly love and respect. Home and hearth has never warmed me as much as this picture of your golden years together. tfs
I'm in awe of the way you share with us the elegant dignity of this gentleman you so clearly love and respect. Home and hearth has never warmed me as much as this picture of your golden years together. tfs
seema chowdhury
very interesting and enjoyable poem. Happy birthday
very interesting and enjoyable poem. Happy birthday
Ernestine Northover
Happy Birthday to Jerry and all good wishes for many more. A happy New year too to you both. This is a lovely poem Alison and beautifully written. Delightful to read and lovely to see your work here again. Hope everyone is fine and dandy and that you have had a good Christmas too.
Happy Birthday to Jerry and all good wishes for many more. A happy New year too to you both. This is a lovely poem Alison and beautifully written. Delightful to read and lovely to see your work here again. Hope everyone is fine and dandy and that you have had a good Christmas too.
Lynda Robson
A lovely tranquil write, hope Jerry had a good birthday
A lovely tranquil write, hope Jerry had a good birthday
Simply Bono Razek
what a loving write this is ~
what a loving write this is ~
Meggie Gultiano
this is a very touching piece..only you can make this piece perfect..So very calm, as I patiently read each lines with feelings. I love this, Alli..from end to end..
this is a very touching piece..only you can make this piece perfect..So very calm, as I patiently read each lines with feelings. I love this, Alli..from end to end..
carol
congrats to Jerry on his eightieth
congrats to Jerry on his eightieth
tom balch
Beautiful, a lovely write indeed.
Beautiful, a lovely write indeed.
PrEmJi PrEmJi
poetry from daily life... interesting lines...
poetry from daily life... interesting lines...
Frank James Ryan Jr./FjR
Shgame, Shame, Shame on me....I have become very remiss latelyin reading poem intro's....So little time for passtime, that i like 2 get right into the meat & potatos of the work of my fav quillers on PF.... And then of course i then risk missing out on a tasty appetizer! So, please wish "The Champ" the very best of Birthdays, on this his 80th young year !.......FjR
Shgame, Shame, Shame on me....I have become very remiss latelyin reading poem intro's....So little time for passtime, that i like 2 get right into the meat & potatos of the work of my fav quillers on PF.... And then of course i then risk missing out on a tasty appetizer! So, please wish "The Champ" the very best of Birthdays, on this his 80th young year !.......FjR
T A Ramesh
Lovely home scene depicted in your poem takes me back to my childhood days I spent with my grand ma! Especially cat and dog surrounding you in working time in the kitchen reminds of so many of past life in the 1950s! Thanks for sharing that!
Lovely home scene depicted in your poem takes me back to my childhood days I spent with my grand ma! Especially cat and dog surrounding you in working time in the kitchen reminds of so many of past life in the 1950s! Thanks for sharing that!
Kamala
Its so elegant a write. One of those few classic writers here. Everyday activities are captured with that passion, and leaves them as gems for the readers mind. an essential read.
Its so elegant a write. One of those few classic writers here. Everyday activities are captured with that passion, and leaves them as gems for the readers mind. an essential read.
Fay Slimm
Even mundane is seen as exciting under your magical pen my dear friend. Congrats to you both on reaching that treasured milestone of a day and may there be oodles more of your golden summer- afternoon verses to come. Love Fay.xx
Even mundane is seen as exciting under your magical pen my dear friend. Congrats to you both on reaching that treasured milestone of a day and may there be oodles more of your golden summer- afternoon verses to come. Love Fay.xx
Frank James Ryan Jr./FjR
What a treat ...Two Cassidy Classics in one week !!!!!!!!!!!!! I know no other on this site, or any poetry site for that matter that is able to take the otherwise mundane and through the astute science of imagescaping & out-right lexic cleverity turn ordinary into extraordinary....every damn time....You do Rock, Lassie !...FjR
What a treat ...Two Cassidy Classics in one week !!!!!!!!!!!!! I know no other on this site, or any poetry site for that matter that is able to take the otherwise mundane and through the astute science of imagescaping & out-right lexic cleverity turn ordinary into extraordinary....every damn time....You do Rock, Lassie !...FjR
dennis go
This piece is sooo soothing. :)
This piece is sooo soothing. :)
Sandra Martyres
Another beautiful and touching write Allie on Jerry and your daily life. Only you can write poetry on everyday happenings and make them sound so interesting for your readers...TFS - Happy belated birthday to Jerry...80 is indeed a milestone
Another beautiful and touching write Allie on Jerry and your daily life. Only you can write poetry on everyday happenings and make them sound so interesting for your readers...TFS - Happy belated birthday to Jerry...80 is indeed a milestone
Such touching imagery describing what must have been a perfect day. On a point of detail, I remember a 10- or 11-year-old student of mine almost 50 years ago writing of "cats smurring round children's legs" - you know exactly what she meant!