Everlasting
She was twenty he twenty-two new wedding bands on fingers
to the islands they flew
Landed and she entranced pulled into irresistible dance after a day or
two in her soul a certainty knew … she called home:
Bride to her father
Hi Daddy, yes all is well – I need to talk to you
Things are not just okay – they are fantastic
As soon as I stepped off plane it felt like I was home
we’re going to stay
A second or two ticked by frangipani air
sweet and heavy drifted in from the open veranda
there she sat on the edge of the bed - a stream of hotel
AC lifted her just from the beach- showered hair –
she took a sip of her frozen drink – waiting for him to think -
his answer came swift and fast –
its portent intended and would everlast
“Baby, said he, is there a cemetery in town?”
Yes right in the center down
“When you hang up go there and take a walk around inhale deep and see
it comes awfully fast - follow your dream and be ..
I love you”
Her heart swelled –breath caught, tears fell
To be understood and loved so true, so deep and well
By a father who could let her go
Though the decision had to be a shock you know.
Groom to his mother
Mom, Hi …
Uh , fine, yep having a good time
Uh, Ma we figured maybe – Uh we’re going to stay
The receiver drops
“No No No … No way!
Hang the sheets on the mirrors my son is dead to me “ *
Her newly minted father-in-law picked up the conversation -
“Your mother is upset she thought you were just on vacation
Take care of yourself you hear
Goodbye call and ask for yourself it’s long distance the cost is dear” **
She could hear the wailing as he hung up the phone
Lit a cigarette, poured a drink, picked up a towel and walked out alone
She understood the love thrumming in both those calls
the winds of support the wails of pain
It all washes over her, warm and refreshed time and time again
Parenthood -Love – Life - all right there….
Spilling, sparkling, in Caribbean air
*A Jewish tradition of mourning included covering mirrors with sheets
** In the days long prior to cell-phones when long distances rates exorbitant for many – some devised a method of letting a caring party know of an arrival by calling ‘collect’ and asking for oneself.
Very impactful conversations. I loved the father's advice (mentioning the cemetery) to the daughter. Very wise and caring father. Sounds like the groom's mother didn't take the news well. But glad that his father did. I like "Parenthood -Love – Life - all right there…. " Yes indeed! Thanks for sharing with us, Pearl!
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you Mary... a pleasure as always.
DeleteOh Pearl, what a difference in the responses........wow. So well done, I could feel it all. And I remember that long distance trick when people were careful about even spending a couple of dollars, so unlike today. Wonderfully done.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted that you enjoyed ... My family did not subscribe to the asking for yourself trick - actually placing long-distance calls which was considered something reserved for the very well off (which we were not during my childhood) . Yes, things were certainly so very different.
Delete"She understood the love thrumming in both those calls . . . " That's the thing, isn't it? Unfortunately, when you are buried by your family, it's hard to see the love. That happened to my dad, and it was not a good wedding present at all. Only later could mom and dad be philosophical about it.
ReplyDeleteRejection from family is anathema (in my humble opinion) to the natural order of things. It is simply horrible. In this little tale it was a hyperbolic reaction and never carried through ...
DeleteI like the different emotions spontaneously coming out in the conversations. And the close is spot on.
ReplyDeleteAww thank you Sumana .. Honestly I just wanted to participate and I am delighted that you enjoyed.
DeleteGood morning - I very much appreciate your comments on my Father and Son poem. I had reservations about this piece.
ReplyDeleteYour lyrical flow is excellent.
The image of the sheets over the mirrors is very powerful. I experienced this tradition once, and it has stayed with me.
Ohhhh Ollie... thank you .. your Father and Son poem has stayed with me - it is a powerhouse poem with a compelling message, beautifully penned .. I would seriously give consideration to submitting it for publication somewhere - it is that good! All my best to you for a happy, healthy, peaceFULL New Year.
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