COLD COMFORT

[Maureen K Clifford]

I have recently established contact with cousins in UK I have never met - a gap of over 50 years, and we are strangers but because of the Internet and a genealogical site we have found each other and now the letters and photos are starting to be shared between continents and who knows perhaps one day we will meet face to face. The family likenesses are amazing - in some cases almost mirror images which is rather spooky



COLD COMFORT


I’m just now meeting cousins and they live a world away,
a huge hiatus in my life – we never got to play.
We found each other once again inside Internet caves
and now communicate each week over the wireless waves.
The time lapse doesn’t matter for we’re in our Twilight years
and there’s always coffee top ups to calm our silly fears.
The Internet connection is so swift, our flights of fancy
can be shared almost immediately with our new cousin Nancy.

Out in the sticks there’s time to think, to recall what is lost
and night or day don’t matter much and won’t alter the cost
of the Internet connection, though we’re all on borrowed time.
Nowhere can I buy happiness or regain what is mine.
A lifetime’s been and gone and we are just now touching base.
Is there a chance we'll one day meet together face to face?
I look and see the darkening skies, perceive the drops of rain
that like sad tears for what is lost, slide down the window pane.

Just like cold coffee – wasted – delegated to the drain.

Maureen Clifford © 11/12

[Neville Briggs]

I thought you would be more cheerful Maureen, finding some rellies.

[Maureen K Clifford]

It's the thought of all those extra Christmas cards to write Neville

[Stephen Whiteside]

Yes, I can understand your sadness and frustration, Maureen.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Frustration about describes it Stephen - have a solicitor over there who refuses to answer my letters to him. Pig ignorant springs to mind as I am not chasing money merely wish to know if my Uncle was cremated or buried and where exactly his remains are located and he should know as he handled the will - although I suspect not appropriately as no contact was made with us and we are the only blood relatives.