Let Me Tell You a Story

March 2004

August '04	Feather
July '04	Stuck in that Moment	January '04	Dear Diary
June '04	Judge Not The Book	December '03	Deck the Halls
May '04	Silver Satin Coins	November '03	November Rain
April '04	A Girl On a Swing	October '03	Nine Months Awaiting
March '04	From Your Daughter	September '03	A Tale of Two Cities
February '04	Snowdrops	August '03	'Eur' Vision is Our Vision

From your Daughter

‘They never had that in my day’,
Said my mother as she stood at the gate
Watching the furniture delivered
At such an exorbitant rate.

As we entered the house,
Once more she remarked
How lucky was our fate
But God only knows what would happen
If the due baby arrived not early but late.

As the following days passed slowly
A glimpse into life I received
No cars, phones, computers or faxes,
Rather lots of hard work and plenty high taxes.

I can’t say I remember
Growing up without such things
All a reality of life now
Not just the reserve of rich kings!

As I watched through my mother’s eyes
Even the simple tasks changed
I listened with awe and wonder
To a simple, yet accurate refrain

Mam, I can’t tell you, or even imagine,
What mothers did in your day,
No electricity, no appliances
Ever there, to take any burdens away

Looking back now, I truly recall
The hours you spent at the sink
Washing, & cleaning, scrubbing with feeling –
Being with you has made me think;

How many hours you surrendered
To tasks, each and every one
A tribute to your hard work
That no-one could possibly take on.
And memories come flooding back,
Yet only now I see,
Or even truly understand
How hard life used to be.
Though never once a complaint
In my mind’s eye I can see
A tired and worn out woman
That once you used to be.

Today so many things are different
And life is much more kind
So many things now we have
The past is left behind.

But, Mam, not those memories
Of days long ago,
The unending patience, heart-felt love
On each task you did bestow.
Yet it was not the task that kept you there
But rather those who know
The love you give your family
From those days so long ago.

A truth I cannot say,
If I could have survived
Back when things were harder
As each new challenge arrived

I’d like to think I could
But Mam, that’s simply hope
That I’ve inherited some of you
In my ability to cope.

Mother’s Day once more draws near
And so on this special day
It’s important that I say to you
Mam, I love you dearly
More than words can ever say.