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.......................