ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Thought I would check out the homework for the week - this months topic hasn't grabbed me as yet - will think more on it.
But loved last fortnights topic, and the resulting poems!!
Thought I would cheat and post a poem I wrote a few years back.

The Child She Cannot Hold
© Irene Conner 28/08/2010

Tiny hands that take your heart strings
and entwine them with their own
let you feel the joy that love brings
and would melt a heart of stone.
Cheeks that seek your loving kisses
when the paths of life are shown,
leave a warmth a mother misses
as they venture out alone.
And a mother’s love’s awak’ning
for the child she gets to hold;
precious mem’ries in the making
gilds her gentle heart with gold.

Unknown voices that are telling
of a child they cannot find.
Overwhelming grief is swelling
in the mother left behind.
No one knows where she is lying.
Is she dead? Is she alive?
All around are loved ones crying
as they struggle to survive.
And a mother’s heart is breaking
for the child she needs to hold;
frightened mem’ries in the making
for the child that won’t grow old.

Ruthless sands of time keep drifting
quelling hope that lingers on;
old foundations keep on shifting;
there’s no base to stand upon.
And a family is shattered,
cast adrift for evermore
in a life that’s bruised and battered;
by a grief they can’t ignore.
And a mother cries on waking
for the child she yearns to hold;
nightmare mem’ries in the making
haunt the dreams that can’t be told.

Grieving lives must go on living;
smiles now shroud the numbing pain,
but in dreams she keeps on giving
as she holds her child again.
Eyes still scan the sea of faces,
hope still finds her on the street,
always searching for lost traces;
never yielding to defeat.
And a mother’s arms are aching
for the child she cannot hold;
no more mem’ries in the making
as a broken heart grows cold.

That's a beauty Irene - a little cheating (here) doesn't worry me at all if it means some good poetry is getting around again. Nicely crafted piece Ma'am - I tips me hat

Thanks Maureen - I'm hoping that a little cheating and putting an old poem on will trigger the creative juices again!!
I have just finished my two years of study, and must say, I have had no time, energy nor inclination to write poetry - I was well and truly over it by the time I finished, and found it a lot harder than I thought to juggle work, study, travel to Perth for my study intensives, as well as the practical components and online tutorials. I still feel rather exhausted and not motivated to do anything right now - but want to work on getting back to doing something I enjoy some time in the near future!! You're doing a great job with your TAT magazine by the way - taking time out to read it was a welcome relief from study related reading!! Keep up the great work!

Lovely poem Irene!
Trish

Yes lovely poem Irene

Terry

How very strange I got motivated to put this poem up. I wrote the poem some years back - for a young girl who went missing about an hour from where I live. She was 17 at the time and has now been missing for 16yrs with no trace of her body.
Tonight on the news, police announced they have issued a warrant for the arrest of a man for her murder - he is currently in gaol in Queensland for the rape of another young woman and will be extradited to face court over here. Hopefully they will soon find her body and her family may soon have some closure. RIP Hayley.

Stranger things happen Irene - maybe your poem got the spiritual guides back on the job for young Hayley and an end result for her. Everything happens for a reason and in its own time.

Thanks for the vote of confidence with the mag I appreciate that and congratulations to you for your wonderful achievement - I know it has been a hard road but the end result will be so worth it. You should be very proud of yourself...and now life will find its own rythm again.