In Memory of Aunt P

 

 

Gone but not forgotten.

In fact, scrap that…

Gone but always remembered!

Yet like a Covid-stricken December

Without Christmas lunch and family…

A constant dose of reality,

A bitter pill to swallow.

Leaves me feeling hollow…

Empty -

Those spaces minus your personality,

The warmth, the glow you exuded

Always inclusive... 

A greeting, reach out and touch,

Here comes the hug and a kiss of course!

With you there was a familiar vibe

All fuzzy-like...

Like a sunbeam,

Dancing across your vision.

Got me in my feelings,

Got me here wishing

That I could see your smile one more time.

Just one more time...

To hear your giggle, that laugh, 

Take a stroll into the past…

Hear our phone ring

Knowing full well who's on the other end

SHR! How you? Where Lyn?

Where Lyn Lyn? How Mikey Mike?

Ya know...

So often we say out of mind

Out of sight...

But with you...

Here’s the plight, the difficulty, the issue…

WE ALL

Still miss you.

But...

I've felt regret,

Felt the depth of undeniable pain

Like rain across your face

As we processed your death.

So sudden…

Some said gone too soon

Like leaving work in the afternoon

Thinking back, that call felt like

A cartoon, can’t be real, couldn’t be…

Man nah daddy! 

Wha you telling me???

Rushed home to verify, support, 

Console Mum, compile a report,

What about Uncle Mike?

How is he handling all this?

Only God knew…

And as I sit back and jot down these words

In honour of you -

What I will continue to do

Is remember,

Especially each April, August and December

What you meant, still mean

And represent to me, 

As one of our family’s beloved queens!

 

From the recipes and countless photos at your fingertips

To that innate desire to clean, never a day you missed.

The conversations, advice and the unconditional love,

Spontaneous drop-bys with come-to-muh-don-let-me-go.

To listening to the doctor, making sure you were clear,

As we prayed over Uncle Mike, asking God to keep him here.

So, yes, you’re gone,

It has felt like too soon

But we hold on to your memory,

Like a beautiful plant in a spotless room.

 

I will keep that space for you

And your unique TLC,

With that dash of PLC…

Pearline Lorraine Clarke...

My one and only Aunt P!

 
Michael Russell August 24, 2023