Just a face in a fading black and white photo,
[England - a little bit of Home]
[UK Photos]
[Magpie's Nest]
[The Jones']
[Essay On Life]
[Hurricane Hugo]
a young, earnest face with
soft grey eyes smiling into mine.
Royal Air Force cap cocked jauntily on one side,
jacket smartly fastened with shiny buttons,
Wings displayed proudly on sleeves.
As I gaze into your eyes I wonder,
what kind of person were you,
what part of you is me?
My mother told me you were right there,
at home with her when I was born
and you were so very happy.
My mother said you bathed me,
changed dirty nappies and washed them
while taking care of her, and my two sisters.
The night I was born
bombs dropped along the coast,
shaking everyone's faith.
You made plans for a future after the war,
when your family could be together again,
whole and complete.
I believe only an optimist
could have planned
towards a future which was so uncertain.
When the telegram came
all the plans, and your future,
were washed away with the tears.
A grave in France, marked with a cross,
bearing your name, rank and serial number,
was not part of your plans.
I placed another picture beside yours today,
a picture of your grandson proudly wearing
the uniform of the United States Air Force.
This photo is coloured, but I see the same face,
with soft grey eyes smiling into mine.
"He's your Dad all over again" swears my mother,
So now I listen to your mirror image, making his own
optimistic plans, in a world where the future doesn't appear
to be any more certain than it was so many years ago.
Back to Magpie's Nest
[Snow Scenes]
[Beginning Again]
[Paradise Room]
[Links]
[WOW Online Quilt]
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