For Helen 9 May 2017

I dreamed of this poem last night (13 March 2012)

On the bed I lie

Under a cozy quilt and books about a Tiger, a Dragon, and a Gruffalo.

I see my lovely sleeping daughter

And, nestled between us

Her sturdy sleeping son

A Sweet Memory

When all was right with the world.

…

Was it 1994 that I called you?

On 9 May

To sing Happy Birthday.

You were not home; rather you were in the tattoo parlor.

A black mystery scroll on your belly now.

It was New Year 1989

Somewhere near Zakopane

I lay awake fearing for both of you

Away with the son of a diplomat

The morning grew closer

In that foreign country

In a strange country hostel

Until finally you returned.

Summer 1971

A sweaty pink face

Wet hair clinging to that space in front of your tiny ears

Big almond eyes trying to stay open

Slowly closing as sleep falls

Over my small jewel.

1989

You loved

That Big White Dress of Damask Linen

We found in Laura Ashley, Cambridge MA

“Too expensive,” I said

“Unless…

 You promise to wear it at your wedding,”

And you did.

1986

Homesick in London

We go to the Tate for the PreRaphaelites

Then to Garibaldis for a coke and hamburger

Then to Libertys to browse

And home again at the Penn Club

And sometimes you         

Skip down to Trafalgar Square

And feed the pigeons

1979

Through the glass doors

I watch you-- 9 years old

Dancing in the big den

At Mimi and Pop’s house

To the Nutcracker

Alone, with grace.

Summer 2000

Driving down that NOLA highway

To Lowes

To buy one ladder

Some bright blue paint

A hammer and nails

To make Cleveland Street home.

Summer 2005

Driving down that NOLA highway

To Pottery Barn

To buy a light blue baby crib--

With rail sides spool-shaped—

To put your babe in.

1974

Little blonde pigtails on a sweet face

Little hand holding scissors

Little hand holding one pigtail

That sweet face smiling proudly.

1970

New pink baby

Sitting in that plastic infant seat

I put you on a shiny pine table

And go outside.

I see you through the window

As I hose down the window.

You laugh to see the water on the glass

You laugh so hard

That plastic infant seat begins to slide.

I drop the hose and run inside

But reach you too late

Your little chin bloody

And needing a stitch.

My sweet pink baby.

Summer 2005

In hot NOLA

In Teddy’s pool,

Your big belly

With the Black Mystery Scroll

Bobbing in the water.

1995

Wearing That Big White Dress

You cried in the Chapel

You couldn’t say your words

You were so choked up with Love

For your now husband Paul.

1975

Christmas Eve

Kevin came for supper

You wore your favorite

Long white dress

He brought big white ribbons

From Rutledge Chapel

We had white candles on the table.

28 April 1999

Browns Hotel in London for Tea

My Birthday Celebration!

Matthew and Chantal and Sophie

Kevin and Jake and Mimi

And you.

9 May 1999

We walk through the meadow

To the Orchard, Grantchester

We celebrate your birthday

With Tea and Fruit Scones,

Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam.

1981

Growing-up Girl

With Canon Camera around your neck

Wearing your Orange Oshkosh overalls

Taking pictures of the model

Along with grown men photographers

 Good News!

The first green of spring!

The festival accepted your film!

Your friend is getting married!

You found a singing coffeepot on ebay!

Poppy has a new tooth!

Your students finished their films!

Always Good News!

Easter 1982 (?)

Girl in Pink Coat

Being christened and confirmed

Growing tall

Growing up

I am very proud

1985-86

“Look, Momma,

“Doesn’t he look like a little old man?”

“Doesn’t he look like a philosopher?”

Your take on Baby Jesus!

We had such fun in galleries!

Palm Sunday 1986

In Paris

In the Tuilleries

A Scuffle

An Altercation

Between Helen and Kevin

Over what

We don’t remember!

Winter 1985-86

The Black and White Jacket

With the Trevs Scarf

And underneath

The Grey of

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School

August 1986

Off she flew

In her new purple pants

The first day of school

Back home

In SC

16 October 2005

New Sweet Babe

Taking a sunbath

Proud Momma

Looking on

Her new Babe

Christmas 2005

She ordered

Smile Shows

To accompany that

One in a Lifetime Snow

On Christmas Day

In Nola

Her Boy’s

First Christmas

September 2006

Moving House

Back to New Orleans

She and Paul packed their things

And cleaned the Parkman Drive House

Till all was spic and span

Then picked up POP

And drove to NOLA--

Leaving me forlorn.

January 2010

A plastic box full

Of letters and cards

Documenting her High School years

And the many friends

She loved them and

They loved her.

1995-2000

She lived in Halifax

And worked at Norbert’s market

Every Saturday

For 20 dollars and all the veggies she wanted.

At Christmas time she traveled home

And brought a bag of succulent shallots

And other winter veggies

What a treat!

These days

I hang out in

The Cemetery

No more good news

From her…

Fall 2013

But the Boy

Grows tall and strong

Sturdy

Shooting baskets

Kicking soccer balls

Practicing Piano

Now in fourth Grade