Month: August 2011

Three Months without My Mother

August 31, 2011

Today is one of many important markers to come. Three months to the day Since her life slipped away. Where have they gone? Where have they gone? The world carries on as always – deadlines, exhaustions, overcrowded trains. Yet I can’t find myself in it. I feel brittle and frail My hands shaky and pale … More Three Months without My Mother

unshed

August 23, 2011

Countless others Have likened the rain to tears, or tears to rain. The comparison should have lost its potency through reiteration Yet, sitting watching drops trickle steadily down the window, I can think of nothing but how they would feel on my cheek – Cold rather than hot and salty, Expressing my sorrow when my … More unshed

Facing the Shadows

August 22, 2011

My mother’s favourite author was Ursula K. Le Guin. After many years of dreaming of it, she finally wrote a letter to ‘her Ursula’, expressing how important her writing had been to her, and she received a brief – but delightful and heartfelt – reply. I stumbled across it when I was back in South Africa for … More Facing the Shadows

Giving Sorrow Words

August 16, 2011

I read a little of Rebecca Abrams’ ‘When Parents Die’  this evening, which my friend Garry, whose father died while he was 12, lent me. It arrived with a heart warming note inside: ‘I hope that when you find time to read this book, you find solace. I know I did, even after many years! … More Giving Sorrow Words

Multiplicity

August 15, 2011

I have been thinking and talking a lot recently about identity and creativity. In part of an email to a friend, Onke, last week, I wrote “I wonder if we all struggle to some degree to acknowledge or recognise our ‘true self’? It is such a flexible and constantly changing thing, responding to our environment … More Multiplicity

Dream-time Revelations

August 15, 2011

I had what felt like an enormously important dream last night. I had been reading a book called ‘Motherless Daughters’ before going to sleep, and I was clearly trying to resolve some of the issues it raised for me, but I am grateful for the gentle way my mind went about this process.

My Mother’s Hands

August 11, 2011

Her hands, strong and articulate, Drawing air-pictures Whilst describing new perspectives.   Digging earth to bring its bounty forth, Or climbing rock – She touched the world, and so it touched her back.   Her hands that bathed my newborn flesh; They wiped my tears, And across distance wrote to soothe my fears. Those hands … More My Mother’s Hands