As soft as the evening breeze

that trembles through the tallest trees

as meditative as your words allow,

entwined and tangled in these Summer days.

The crystal clarity in your eyes

tells more in a dear face of courage,

than the gentleness of your silence.

Not so much now a belligerent waging war

nor a stricken fight,

just a gentle silence that goes on into the night.

Words are difficult for you to find

It does not matter  for I don’t mind,

the gentleness of your silence is far more

than feckless words that blow in the Summer wind.

The brushstrokes of our life unfold clearly

as you focus daily to capture strength,

this Summer of endless joys

nothing more is needed,

no more

than the gentleness of your silence…

All Rights Reserved 2010

tents and stalls were assembled by dawn,

a bustle took over the village

and in their own unique way

all manner of games, raffles and prizes

appeared for this, the  Annual Village  Fete.

“Teeny tots with sparkling eyes

As all around delights they spy

Laughing faces full of joy

Gleeful girls and skipping boys

Little children with winning toys

Raffles and tombola stand

Bouncy castles and a splendid band!

Sunlight streams through covering trees

A Village Affair for you and me

Jars of jams and chutney to buy

Balls to throw and win a prize

Just to be in summer glow

And watch this Village come and go

Fifty pence will bring a chance

To win the lotto in a glance

Pretty dresses, summer hats,

Throw the balls and make a crash!

Time to sit for cup of tea

Cakes to choose, now let’s see?

Strawberries and cream on scrumptious scones

No coffee walnut will be the one!

Nothing less that I can see

A Village Affair for you and me…”

All Rights Reserved 2010

We swing together you and I

in that old shaded place we love,

peaceful sweet smelling garden air

that gentle breeze that tickles hair,

the yellow Iris in our view,

Oh how I love to be with you!

Tranquil sounds of garden spirits

the chirping of the evensong thrush

lavender blue scent comes through,

we swing together like children do.

This quiet spot where we can dream

these special hours away,

amid the slowing of day ending

we talk of yesterday,

no more is needed for you and I

we know that time is short

and so we talk and dream and think

of what this life has brought.

We dream together

                                              you and I,

                                                                     on this old garden swing.

Photo: from “Hemingway”

All Rights Reserved.

“Love seeketh not itself to please,

Nor for itself hath any care,

But for another gives its ease,

And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.”

WILLIAM BLAKE (1757-1827)

“Age does not protect you from love

But love to some extent protects you from age”

JEANNE MOREAU b 1929

“Life’s short and we never have enough time

for the hearts of those who travel the way with us.

O,be swift to love! Make haste to be kind.”

HENRI-FREDERICK AMIEL (1821-1881)

It was an eternal wait that day

a long perpetual tedious episode

an abuse on the senses,

the faces filling the clinic suite

sitting too close together at tables that encumbered,

all appearing the same, all resigned to their fate;

all stricken with disbelief.

I watched…

Can you put aside like dead flowers a mind that is full of fear?

Can you not feel the pain of those set faces that await

the ‘clarion call’ for  news no one wishes to hear?

Can you relentlessly show that crumbling smile?

Can you quieten the beating of your own heart?

I watched the woman sitting opposite me, a reflection of myself,

sitting beside her Man, worry etching her face,

quietly waiting the prophecy that could change their lives,

was she to receive news that would set her Man free?

Set them both free!

I watched…I watched…

I watched this fragile life snap and break,

I  watched those tears at another table…

All Rights Reserved  @ Susie Hemingway 2010

* NB After being on  Chemotherapy – Velcade  + Dexamethasone (80mg weekly) since February 22 2010 Hamada’s Para-Protein (M-Spike) has only dropped to 15  He is to have a little break and then start Revlimid.

Under a lovers gaze stoic and stubborn

I fight for you,

in watchful waiting the power of my mind

spurs me on…

The tiredness of these determined efforts for you,

to strive is hard to do.

With strength needed as not to succumb

I walk on and on,

for there can never be amongst this pain

nothing left for you ?

Don’t ever think I do not clearly see

for if only my eyes could shut out all,

to mar, inflict distress, destroy the purity of,

impair, fatally ruin – All this !

Through my smiles, the anguish of my heart,

flows in time with this wretched beast

as it continues it’s wicked path.

Under my lovers gaze, I fight for you.

*“There is freedom within

    There is freedom without

   try to catch the deluge in a paper cup,

  there’s a battle ahead, many battles are lost”

*Extract from “Don’t Dream Is Over” by Crowded House  Written by Neil Finn 1987

Photo courtesy:  Matt Rutherford www.mattrutherford.com

© Susie Hemingway 2010

You watch your family well my love

with twinkling fervency of pride,

not much I’m sure escapes those beaming eyes

whose rays emit relentless joy.

The room is filled with noise and bustle

laughter amid the smell of pungent food delights

and scents of Capri Fig Frangipani

as candles burn long into the night.

Your efforts never go unnoticed not in my eyes,

burden of encumberment hampers movement,

such little comes now from tired voice but eyes embrace it all.

Just quietly watching… makes you the man so tall.

My heart suspends this time as softly plays

the husky subtle pleading of Lamontagne,

good French wine is poured amid the illuminated sounds

of laughter,

as  we count our blessings of these vibrant days, bathed in burnished sunlight of joyful laughter with you.

I glance across at your smiling face

just quietly watching…

All Rights Reserved @ April 2010

We waited the hours together,

us and the man with the white knitted hat,

pale and often slipping down in his chair he looked desperately ill.

His wife sat tiredly and patiently by his side.

He joined us once again sitting opposite, in the ‘chemo chairs’ the four of us waiting as if for a bus, but really to win further days.

The skilled nurse attached the Cannula to his oh so pale hand, difficult but finally achieved, he smiled a weary smile across at me.

The jaunty white hat seemed to perch on top his shiny pate

far too small and not really doing the job it was intended for.

My heart ached.

I smiled back, while my man was busy being attached to

the life giving elixir that would hopefully give them both extra time?

I offered up my usual prayer.

The man with the white knitted hat whose face was

waxy pale, glanced across at us.

His wife or carer I noticed had swollen ankles,

perhaps from the many hours spent caring and fighting ‘this beast’ that was trying to take her husband from her.

The vials appeared like a sunburst of golden treasures, “it seems  we are travelling the same journey” I said

“Yes, it’s a tough long battle isn’t it” said the man with the white knitted hat.

I turned my eyes to see the beautiful slim brown hands of my beloved, my Father’s ring adorning his  right hand resting on the heated pillow.

Then looking across at the pale transparent hands of our new friend I noticed,

that the first two fingers of his other hand, were tightly crossed.

How my heart ached….

All Rights Reserved @ 2010

Are you a jewel?

Priceless exquisite, cut of flawless clarity.

A glittering seven carat white diamond perhaps?

A gleaming diadem of chosen stones or a

desirable vibrant emerald, of richly sparkling hues.

No!

For you are shades of purple…

Purple like the dark rings that surround your eyes,

Purple like the feeling of these past weeks,

Purple coloured days that were draining, not pink.

Purple coloured nights that stretched forever,

as purple as the scarf I wore today, for I was sad.

Definitely purple but no amethyst are you

a solitaire yes, a single flawless gem.

A most valuable priceless jewel and extremely rare.

A Jewel to fight as you do,

Yes! A Purple Diamond,  that’s you….

Written with love by Susie Hemingway for all those who love.

“Shades of Purple – A Jewel Perhaps” is now to be published by United Press in their new book “Reflections”

All rights reserved @ 2010

Late winter months as news imparts

the gravity of this new start

dear God as we  begin this fight

in restless days and feverish nights,

as poison flows through damaged veins

please not let this be in vain…

Smaller smiles through struggling days

of waiting for the nausea waves,

understanding strange regimes

jab jab as harsh it always seems,

as draw for tests to go ahead

when all he wants is his fresh clean bed.

Perpetual hours that make me sigh

impatience that since  child has always been

and now this purgatory of hopeful scene,

as tedious the walks I make

through lengthy corridors and doors of pain,

please Lord! let there be a gain.

How good the compassionate nurses who

bring solace to my broken warrior,

a smile or a tender word all make a difference,

I notice a gentle hand on his shoulder,

in their relentless comforting care.

I also notice many sitting there,

with their dreams of better days…

My mind whirls as the precious cylindrical vial arrives with pomp and ceremony,

to scientists far away who have tried to bring

with knowledge gained, further days.

It is received with hope and joy

but will it work to overcome?

for this Man who waits expectantly with those oh! so trusting eyes.

A Poem about Chemotherapy  February 2010– all rights reserved

Love is a perfect note; love is a certain smile, or a gentle touch.

It is the dripping juiciness of ripe mangos on a parched tongue

or the smoothness of rippling silk as it touches your skin,

or perhaps the sweetest strawberry dipped in liquid chocolate?

Love could be the aroma of double espresso just before it reaches your lips,

or is it the woody smell of a newly lit fire?

All is love…

Love is also the stormy greys of long worried nights,

love is restless broken sleep that drains energy from your soul

love is eyes heavy from sadness,

But love is also the ashen face that looks at you when days are bad and you are brave.

Love is you, starting the fight once more as realisation arrives in your eyes.

Love is also the beautiful eyes of family members whose tender glances record their own story.

Love is the strong arms that support and guide your way.

Love is the dearest child who stokes your hair with such beautiful little hands.

Love is our private moments that make difficult days better,

love is that look across the room that says it all.

Love is all these things…

And all these things are love,

and you.

Photo courtesy: Janey Johnson Photos

All Rights Reserved.

The Power Within can be purchased from:

http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/

To purchase including packing and postage worldwide:

http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/

Photo:  courtesy of Janey Johnson Photos.

Crisp sparkling crunchy views across this linen land

trees bow beneath the  snow laden branches

hungry birds swing and pull at fat-filled gifts that hang from frozen lines, quiet is this life, quiet is this world.

Such beauty in the stranger shapes of intrinsic white on grey as silence falls and covers sadness like a soft downy wrap, comforting like the arms of angels protecting those we love.

This winter harsh and cruel will not change much for us

it is a time to be together, a time for closeness and of warmth, a time to renew strength to start with vigour our battle.

As crystals melt their prisms, the brushstrokes change

the white that enhances the beauty of this land.

All Rights Reserved @ 2010

A Power Within Available via here

http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/ 

Fifty Poems of Love by Susie Hemingway.