Under all the days that I have lived
Are you, my family, carrying bags
Filling my shoes with pebbled love
Running the last steps to catch up.

Hands splash out the blue circles
Where lollies drip Coca Cola ice
Wet towelling holding us so close
An avenue of trees to walk home.

Love Mary x

For you are more perfect than a sunrise
More blessed than all saintly wisdom
In your openness the world stretches
Out, and finds love’s longings received.

For Arlo love Grandma x

Evelyn looked at the path in front
Meandering into the dark woods
And quietly considered the future.

Nettles grew about the side edges
And beetles and caterpillars climb
Hidden from bright hungry beaks.

She heard small animals twitching
And smelt the river’s down flows
Groundcover spreading its beauty.

The world was peaceful in her hand
And dad holding tightly the morning
As they walked slow along the curve.

Love Grandma **

The sun blisters the sky
Seagulls brittle the air
We scorch under towel
Watching the sea glisten.

This is a world with you
On the sand soaked love
West Whittering in May
The best always stayed.

Love Mary x

I saw you fill the park
Tall and grey
Like Gandalf
A book of spells to hand
And cloaked against the rain.

Long strides across grass
Pink shirted king
A circular crown
Shoes trodden down
Waiting for the Wedding to end.

Love Mary for Roger ***

Under the blanket on a warm afternoon
With a faded sunshade over our heads
Mother and I would lie waiting for rain
And talk of her mother, with big blue eyes
Who died in childbirth when thirty-five
Leaving two little girls, Emily and Rose
And a tiny son who lived but two days
Always an absence for my sweet mother
But always a beautiful presence for me.

Love Mary **

Here comes Margaret, it is nearly four
Takes her all day, to get out of doors
Makes it to the park
A few hundred yards
And back again, slowly, within the hour.

As she returns, Roger sets off
Carrying a note book
And wearing a cagoule mac
A five mile walk, twice a day
And factual writing recording his stay.

Wind direction, southerly, position of the sun
Underfoot weather conditions
A man on the run
Ducks on the pond, birds in the trees
How wonderful it is and all free.


Mary has a black car and rarely walks
Since losing her husband she rarely talks
The pavements are a sadness
Carrying memories of happy times
Walking together on Sunday afternoons.


Pat, goes gently, her knees are bad
Many operations has got her this far
Stoic disposition she loves the flowers
Looks at the gardens for many an hour.

Walkers of the roadway, kindly, unite
Giving to each other love and insight.


Love Mary x

I gave up writing letters when the frost set in
Having tied each bunch with coloured ribbon
So those clearing out could identify the writer
Before packing into bags for their final home.

Mother’s letters were always playful with a lot of
Funny drawings and a multitude of little sayings
There was often a five pound note for the children
And lots of kisses and hugs to each and everyone .

They came regular at holiday times when distant
Kept us apart and she and I felt unexpectedly sad
For we lived like each other, inside tins and things
Buttons and bows, flower pots, coffee-sponge cake.

I have her letters in drawers, inside books and cards
I have her glasses and blue case, last pair of shoes
A scarf where there remains the scents of The Island
The beach and sea, salty air and a jar of cold cream.

Love Mary to her mum xxxx

I dressed  you daughter in smock cloth
It sewn with mother’s loving touch
A blue check white embroidered dots
And buttons, sashed will fasten back.

I greet your tenderest hands as one
Then time had beated out your name
And so with heart my hands did know
Two rings of gold this day behold.


Love Mary xxxx

Mother put your sandals on and we shall walk a mile
Up the road and down again with you by my side
My feet will never falter, nor will my love ever fade
For what you have given me can never be replaced.



Love Mary to her Mother

I will hear you calling across the stars
Lift up my wings in a heavenly bow
I will sing to you now and for always
Lonely feet drifting, waving as I go.

Lighter than thoughts lost in a dream
Never to be found, never to be seen
I will love you my one glittering boy
I will hear you calling across the stars

Love Mary

Way slide on grassy hill
My mother bride laid down
The air warm with tenderness
My father neatly gowned.

Oh love of sweet moments
Come gather in the hours
Wrap them in secret’s scent
Hidden from the showers.

Love Mary x