96 Comments
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Deer Girl's avatar

Photo: stormy Charmouth beach

Gabh fois, a ghràidh is Scottish Gaelic for ‘rest, my love’.

Calloused and Calm's avatar

What an elegant poem, if this in remembrance of someone, it was done with such great taste.

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you – it’s a mix of memory and fiction. Eve was my grandmother and some of this was from an earlier poem that I read at her funeral. What struck me was how she died surrounded by her daughters’ love <3

Fred Basset's avatar

Those who cross over surrounded by people who love them are fortunate.

Deer Girl's avatar

Having witnessed those who crossed alone when I worked in a care home, I would very much agree.

Calloused and Calm's avatar

This is a great capsule for your memory of your grandmother. Being surrounded by your children is a testament to who she was, that speaks to her body of work as a parent.

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you. She had her work cut out with six children!

Liz Zimmers's avatar

This is melancholy gorgeous.

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you Liz!

Rebecca Cook's avatar

Now I've got this idea of people being searched for monsters. I'll be writing about this!

Deer Girl's avatar

Do send a link when you’re finished :)

Judi Lynne Judy, M.A.'s avatar

My favorite part: “In the early hours, Brechin soaked in fog,

you spun once more and found your daughters’ eyes catching yours –

cold lochs,

meeting love.

You dive into them.”

We are so fortunate to have your writing to read H.

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you Judi, sorry for slow reply, my phone is playing up… x

Matthew Levy's avatar

Your poetry is absolutely one of a kind!

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you Matthew!

Jeff Curto - At Home In Time's avatar

As always, I’m in awe of your ability to create visual imagery with words. It’s nothing short of breathtaking. In your pieces, I feel as though I’m *there* - looking through your eyes.

Deer Girl's avatar

Just saw this comment – thank you very much Jeff!

Christopher Van Name's avatar

Such a beautiful poem! Your memories paint very soft, yet intricate and detailed pictures. Your words bring them to life.

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you Christopher!

pen n. bolsillo's avatar

you weave timelines as effortless as breath.

"you spun once more and found your daughters’ eyes catching yours – You dive into them.”

a pulley system moving emotions to the north sea, a knot tied in my throat.

Deer Girl's avatar

🖤 thank you

KD Honaker's avatar

Powerful, beautiful.

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you KD!

Judi Lynne Judy, M.A.'s avatar

“ Mist rolls in from the west, blue milk, nothing visible – until you.” Such a stunner, this line. You are an excellent painter with words Dear H. I feel all of this one, both cold and warm down my back. The skin of it. Brilliant, as always! J

Deer Girl's avatar

Thanks Judi. Hope you’ve been having fun out on the water <3

Judi Lynne Judy, M.A.'s avatar

We’re not out on the water yet. Have been restoring the little boat and until she is ready, we are just working….😊

Petra's avatar

This reads wonderfully cinematic. I love how one image dissolves into the next until an entire life has quietly unfolded. The ending is very moving. I envy your writing skill. <3

Deer Girl's avatar

I’m glad the ending worked because I kept that in from the very first draft, but I wasn’t sure. Thank you very much Petra <3

Lily of Oz's avatar

The life of Eve, honoured here in such a lovely way, woven with threads of sorrow. I love the form you’ve used. Like, a prose narration, then a song. I immediately recognised ‘aeroplanes landing’. And ‘blue milk’ is wonderful. Such a lovely tribute 🦌 🩵

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you Lily, that means a lot <3

Brandi Lynn's avatar

This felt so vivid and grounded - that image of the warm potato paste on the nylon skirt instantly hit me, and the ending with the cold lochs meeting love is just stunning ✨

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you very much Brandi 🖤

Simone Senisin's avatar

What came to me was the birth in and out of life, and the labours of love and being in between, those portals of coming and going — of spinning. Always beautiful. 🖤✍️

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you Simone, all those portals coming and going so much faster than we expected 🩶

Lotte Kestner's avatar

really love it

Deer Girl's avatar

Thank you Lotte <3