Joan Margaret Clinock. 1915 – 2004.
In January 2004 I was in my mother’s house in England. She had recently died, age 88, and being a single child I was sorting out her home alone. I sat at her dining room table, the same table I had sat at so often as a child, and wrote this for her. I post it today in love and memory of love given without limits for so many years. I will always miss you mum, always.
The cyclamen still blooms
on your windowsill,
in colours of a Canadian sunrise
covered in tears of rain.
I want to tell you how beautiful it is
but I can’t find you.
I suppose that I am an orphan now,
an old gray child crying for his mum
in a house empty of you.
Yet I embrace your life in me
as once you embraced my life in you.
I am who I am because of you
and who you were.
And all you gave to me
I now give to my sons.
And they, in turn, will pass it on.
And so the circle is unbroken
and you will live in us.
When I was a child
you dispersed my shadows
with your light
and my sadness with your smile.
And after every storm
You were my sunshine.
You hated cold and dark,
loved the sun and long summer days.
But although it is winter
on this windy coast
you would like it here today
because the warmth and brightness
of your dearest friends
and their flowers of farewell
have touched this place with spring.
Soon you will join your husband
under the wild Cornish sky
that you both loved so much,
and your spirits will be free
to wander the ancient sea and hills
in the wind that lifts gulls
above the rocks and heather.
And I will think of you
there together
and be still.
Love you Daddio
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A wonderful and moving ode to your mother, and she was beautiful.
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i am reading this on mothers day (Australian) and thinking of my mother who is there, on the other side of the world. This is very beautiful, and i do appreciate your sharing it wiht us.
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Special and so very touching… I too, am an only child. Mom is 83. Dad passed away thirty years ago. Thank you for sharing this beautiful heart-felt poem.
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Lovely photo, John.
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A truly beautiful, special and touching tribute to your Mum, John. When emotions are so honest and open, they couldn’t be anything less than precious. The veil of sadness…even if still and through memories, yet there…always.
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Your Mom was a special lady. I am so glad I knew her and that she came to spend a few days here with us.
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This gives me chills. It is so beautiful and I send out heart felt sentiments to you, your mother’s beautiful old gray child.
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Beautiful, John …beautiful.
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This is one of the most moving tributes I’ve read. I now know who is at the root of the beauty of your creativity. The world is lucky for your’s and her gifts to the world.
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So beautiful and well-written.
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You’re a good son.
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Such beautiful imagery drawn from a deep wellspring. The sense of continuity is uplifting and I love that first comment. It speaks volumes!
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The photo reveals the refined beauty and elegance of your mum.
Your words reveal the deep love and affection you both shared with each other………wonderful!
Amen
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Thank you Robert…
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