ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

PEOPLE LONG FORGOTTEN. Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet



The girl was only five or maybe six - the years fly fast
one forgets the finer details in the haze,
but she sat there on the carpet beside Granny’s rocking chair
and together they explored the good old days.

Her Gran, was in her nineties, it was she turned album pages
and pointed out the things she liked to share,
as she mused and slowly looked at pictures taken through the ages
one clawed and birdlike hand smoothed the girls hair.
With age some prints were mottled and others badly faded
and features of some folks were indistinct.
Whilst some were set on card-stock and elegantly portrayed
there were other simple ones with edges pinked.

They showed people in places the small girl had never been.
One showed a massive ship tied to a Quay.
The trip on the Titanic such a grand exciting time
but all there lost, she said all lost to me.

There were pictures of horses and small boys with big dogs,
and small dogs with big girls bedecked in lace.
Some ladies with the biggest hats that you have ever seen
and men with scratchy whiskers on their face.
There were photos of weddings, some quite simple, others grand
and family groups- all posing in their best.
With suits, shined boots, long dresses, with stiff whalebone in their stays.
Folks all long gone now to their final rest.

The little girl moved closer, something had caught her eye.
Who are those people there Gran? What’s their name?
And do you know who owned the dog? Where was the picture taken?
I know that house but it’s not quite the same.

Her Gran held the book closer to the light and peered within
and turned a page or two and then went back.
She stared into the distance and then she looked again.
Try as she might her mind would not attack
the problem. Jess my darling I don’t recall who they are
though I knew them once, of that fact I am sure.
Her brow became frown furrowed and distress showed in her eyes,
from her lips a voice turned quivery, immature.

They’re people long forgotten; now nobody knows their name
it was never written down in black and white
for future generations seeking a name, date and place
researching family history as they might.
It’s something to be mindful of when pictures you might take
one can’t always rely on memory.
It’s OK Gran the small child said I’ll never forget you
for safe within my heart you’ll always be.

Maureen, a friend of mine works with old people needing care, she noticed they had great stories and has been trying to record some of their memories before they are lost, but the people are reluctant to be recorded.

That's lovely Maureen. It reminded me of my own grandmother and time I spent with her. She was "Gran" to my kids.

Heather

Yes good one Maureen, So good when kids have and take the time to listen to the stories of the old folk, something that they will treasure in later years, I know I do.

Ron

Thanks everyone - it was actually sparked by a conversation between my Mum and one of her great grandkids.

That's beautifully written Maureen. I enjoyed reading it. I think I've enjoyed being a grand-parent more so than I did a parent. More time to spend and appreciate. I have included an attachment in this post to an historic photo of Leo Tolstoy speaking with his grand children.
Wazza.

On a second look I think he might be remembering a recent fishing trip.
Wazza

well lets hope it was a fishing story

Hi Maureen -

Your poem really struck a chord with me because I'm passionate about family history. We have boxes of old photos from my husband's side of the family with (you guessed it) no names. My mother-in-law didn't like talking about the past, so I only got to see some of these photos after she died. There's no one left now to tell us whose faces are looking back at us from these old photos. Such a shame.

Cheers -
Shelley

I can relate to that Shelley as it is a similar story with my mob - the other thing I find is that people never remember the name of the animals in the photos - someone's much loved dog/horse whatever that was important enough to be included in the photo fades into obscurity. I urge everyone nowdays to mark the back of their photos with who, what, when and where.