I had a huge coughing fit last night and have felt very unwell today, so I am not able to write my usual kind of post. Also, today would have been my Mum’s 86th birthday. I miss her so much and think about her every day, but this is her special day so I have copied this poem that I wrote and read at her two funeral events back in 2012. The poem is also permanently on this blog on this page.

For Margaret Davy – a tribute

Mum

21st August 1931 – 2nd November 2012

Without Your Song

Your glorious voice that threaded through my childhood is silenced forever.
But I can still hear you in my head
singing those old songs,
which I will never forget.

When you sang somewhere new your voice soared above all others.
People would turn to look,
shivers running down spines
at the sweet beauty of your gift.

Memories of childhood flicker like a filmstrip through my mind:
Soapy Joe, crisp new dresses,
shrimping nets and rockpool days,
floating on crystal notes.

Holding your hand in the last days and listening to your breathing,
I thought about happy times,
how you had loved us all,
and smiled through grateful tears.

The last thing you said to me was “I love you, don’t be sad”.
Well I am sad, but also joyful
to think how fortunate I have been
with you as my mother.

Written by me and read out at Mum’s Funeral in Peterborough and Service in Clevedon, November 2012.

I hope that normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

Best wishes,

💛💜💚💙❤️