Earlier in the week, although cold, the sky clear of rain, the wind had dropped enough for a walk on the beach and enjoy watching the waves fully alive before each crashing with the incoming tide. Later, hail and sleet forced retreat to the library; on the 'returned today' shelf - a copy of Helen Dunmore's book of poems 'Inside the Wave'. I had recently read that Helen Dunmore was posthumously awarded the Costa book of the year award last year. Most of her poems were written when Helen knew she was dying, of cancer; some from her hospital bed. Short, easy to read whilst sitting in the library. Her poems are touchingly uplifting, life affirming, very light and dark at the same time - true. The title poem to be 'inside the wave' before it breaks is to be ALIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . Back home, cheerful tulips - metaphors, poems resonate. In many different ways our fragile lives are cut short, or changed in an instance - we must flourish as long as we can. My life’s stem was cut But quickly, lovingly I was lifted up, I heard the rush of the tap And I was set in water In the blue vase, beautiful In lip and curve, And here I am Opening one petal As the tea cools. I wait while the sun moves And the bees finish their dancing, I know I am dying But why not keep flowering As long as I can From my cut stem? Helen Dumore (1952 -2017)
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March 2023
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