H.O.W. Letting Go Of Yesteryear.
On this dark and gloomy Winter's day
with dusk fast approaching
I had walked through fields,
over mountains,
down lanes until I end up in front of
a classic and beautiful thatched roofed cottage !!!
But no not just any old cottage;
Oh no and there was indeed a cutting reason
why my skin crawled with goosebumps
and my heart thudded in extravagant haste.
A thin wisp of smoke curling in an almost sucking fashion
came from the chimney;
and upwards towards sweet heaven.
Swirling to giddy heights.
As if in the body of another ;
in an almost clockwork fashion
I am drawn to the nearest window of the cottage.
The warm and cosy scene inside
touched my heart as never before.
I was peeping through at the family's kitchen
where a girl and boy
were stretched out in front of the Aga
both engrossed in completing
this gripping jigsaw puzzle.
Laughter so sublimely flowing
to fill each nook each corner,
each crevice
of this warm and happy family home.
The Aga forming
the hub of the home
and I could hear the whistling kettle reaching boiling point
before a lady who could only be Mother
was pouring the water into a
cosy old brown teapot to brew!!
Fried potatoes,cabbage and onion crisping up on the old well used frying pan;
today known as 'Bubble and squeak.'
Another door of the Aga opens to reveal
kindling drying readily
for the task of lighting the Aga in the morning.
However as warm and endearing all this was
what I saw next would overcome the rest;
in front and squeezed up tightly to the Aga
was a new-born orphaned lamb.
With a an exagerated heartbeat
I carefully creep round
to the back of the house
and
with my nose pressed to the window .
I saw that familiar outline of the Old Welsh Dresser
adorned with a blue and white dinner set;
many bills seemingly ,carelesly crammed into a
beautiful and fragile looking tureen!!
With a rush of emotion I remembered
the two dogs sat each side of the dresser
complete with beautiful
golden chain and leather collars..
An open fireplace held a newly lit fire
ready for the family to retire to at the end of another busy but fulfilling day.
Oh how could I have forgotten
the large framed picture of Highland cattle
on the high ground of Scotland.
I feel a stirring
almost as if the very final pieces of life's jigsaw
were slowly falling into place.!!
I turn to the garden ;
in its midst stood a dove coot ;
a picture so familiar!!!
Three snow white doves coo in heavenly tones ;
simply adding to the enchantment of the hour.
White washed walls;
apple trees in clusters,
busy and careless footsteps
seen in the newly turned fertile soil.
A Stoat slinking by
as the stream
at the bottom of the garden
tells its many tales;
nostalgia returned
in sweet hushed tones.
In almost the very same moment I feel a rushed feeling,
almost a tugging from my heart
which I knew without a single doubt
were those cruel memories of yesteryear being kicked into oblivion ;
today,
tomorrow
and
eternally !!!
They may at times
leave a little bitter aftertaste
from the cruel rusted chains.
but
an aftertaste
so slight
and
chains
eternally shattered,
never to be re linked.
She allows her mind's eye
to travel back to yesteryear;
she is once again
the little girl who knew
Mother Nature's kingdom
better than she knew herself!!
However this memory
only stayed for an instant
and
in it place slotted the memory
of the happy family scene
from a few minutes before
Never again to simply exist ;
to simply scratch the surface.
Oh no now was the time
to delve deeply
to find those hidden talents
always there but so
psychologically hidden.
To walk radiating that inner pride
that inner warmth
and to finally be able to
love oneself.
Magical blossoms grown in clusters
oh how they rained golden stars
thriving trees growing to almost heavenly heights.
So proudly seeped in echoes of love.
A red rose so true
Rich anemomne's from carpets so rich;
New layers of compassion waving freely
Each future so rich so wondrous
Songbirds singing;
Under the trails of scarlet dusk ribbons
Dew drops Mother Nature's tears of joy.
Everlasting beauty ;everlasting love.
Such happiness
A fresh new start
A heartbeat away
Bringing that sweet promise
a promise I sing to the world
Each echo and reflection of one true love.
That guide to follow to entice
Each shadow cast away
That path of love
Such happiness.
A life so bleak ?
is not for me.......................
A river flowing
in effervescent mode...................
Each mountain caressing
each proud swelling moment...........................
Each glistening dewdrop
tears of joy................................................
Each daybreak sings
a rhythm of echoing love.............................
Stand up,speak up,love yourself
and make sure you are counted.......................