Homework w/e 18.5 ...FOLLOW YOUR HEART

[Maureen K Clifford]

FOLLOW YOUR HEART ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet

I was looking after Mother and the boss had gone to town
so was out there on my lonesome not another soul around
and I swear was just a moment I was gone - to get the eggs,
but returned to empty lounge chair with no sign of skinny legs.
At that point I wasn't worried for I thought her in the loo
but some time passed without seeing her, so what's a girl to do?
So I went down to the outhouse and I gave her a soft call,
but no answer was emerging - there was no one there at all.

Perhaps she's watering roses was the thought that crossed my mind,
so I wondered out the front expecting my Mother to find
but the front garden was empty not a sign of her by heck
I'm worried but managing to keep emotions in check.
I decide to give a coeee - though she's as deaf as a post
and I doubt her hearing aid is in, she really is the worst
at wearing it, she claims the darn thing still hisses and hums ...
and you never win an argument with my stubborn old Mum.

So I coeee and I whistle and the dogs come running fast
and I ask them "where is Grandma", but their interest doesn't last
when they realize there's no bone, nor a single treat on hand
they wander back to their kennels here in never never land.
There's no need to panic surely? She is old, can't travel far,
and its been an awful long time since Mum has driven the car,
but best check it to be certain for who knows what strange ideas
might have entered into her head with the passing of the years.

Well I checked the paddock car and jeep and she was not within
and I climbed into the truck as well, my patience wearing thin.
Then checked the tractor cab as well, the grader and the dozer
but not a sign of Mum was seen - she could die of exposure.
The nights are getting colder and she wasn't warmly dressed,
refused to wear her Ugg boots never mind her thermal vest.
I'm needing a reality check and a strong cup of tea.
I'll check inside the house again. Is she avoiding me?

Then I spotted on the table this years AgForce calendar,
checked the date and knew for certain just where it was I'd find her.
Oh! How could I have forgotten, what a thoughtless daughter I
to have disregarded memories though a decade had gone by.
To my Mum 'twas just like yesterday that she had lost her love
when my Dad was killed 'cleansing the earth' to try to get rid of
noxious weeds out in the pastures, that were causing him some angst
along with pressure from the drought and hassles from the banks.

His old heart couldn't take the stress - we found him just on dark.
He hadn't come home like he should and no tractor was parked
in the machinery shed out the back and the dogs were still chained.
Our hearts knew then something was wrong, poor Mum became deranged.
I straight way took off up the hill, through wattle green and gold,
and headed for the Ironbark tree, lightning struck, dark and old,
to find my Mother sitting there with tears upon her cheek
emotions raw and fragile, and too weary now to speak.

Not that we needed words to share what both felt in our hearts.
God knows that life is hard enough - more so when lovers part
This was their tree - the place that he proposed on bended knee,
its weathered limbs now sheltered him until eternity.
We sat in contemplation and I took her hand in mine
and gave it just a gentle squeeze to tell her all was fine.
A soft smile crossed her parchment cheeks, she bent to kiss the cross
Together we then headed home, united in our loss.

28.4.2020

[Catherine Lee]

Oh well done Maureen - this had me chuckling at first and then tearing up towards the end. It's not often you get this mixture of emotions in a poem and you've worked it really well.

[Terry]

Hi Maureen
This is my second attempt to respond, god knows what happened to the first one?

Wow you make my miserable few lines seem a bit puny.

Great story with a bit of everything in it as well.
A touch of humour, then some concern and finally relief with a touch of mother daughter love.

Cheers

Terry

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thank you Catherine and Terry for reading and commenting. I am glad my 'picture' came across clearly .... all a figment of my imagination, but the onset of the cold weather here in Queensland combined with memories of the Stanthorpe place got me thinking as I recalled a similar incident with a near neighbours wife who had dementia and wondered off.

[Neville Briggs]

It's a sad story that has many parallels in real experience. An authentic yarn from the colourful passing parade.

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thank you Neville - an element of several truths in it but different incidences

[Shelley Hansen]

A great story Maureen - and as the others have said, lots of emotions whirling together.

For anyone who has looked after elderly parents, it has to strike home with a resounding chord!!