I knocked on the window of her
little kitchen house
three sharp raps
Father, son, and Holy Ghost
a signal to her it was kin.
Slowly the bolts went back
one - two - three
and to be extra sure she calls,
“who’s there?”
Finally her head appears from behind the door.
“Awk daughter dear come in, come in,
An’ don’t let that draught in with ye.”
I stood in the creepy dark hall
driblets of Holy water
dropping from my brow
a dousing to cleanse the soul she’d say
then she allowed me into Her little Vatican.
It smelt of fusty lavender
and wax from the candles
that were lit below each saints picture.
I sat on her chair feeling special
and sinking into her fluffy Pillows
that she says, eases her aches and pains.
I swung my legs contentedly
watching the saints of the world Watch me,
their staring eyes following mine.
The table was set with her best China
a real treat for a nine Year old
I felt as though
I was playing house with my dolls.
She allowed me to pour,
to use her real silver tea strainer
a wedding present from an old friend I’m told.
Three slices of White Chief bread
the only brand she’d use sat waiting to be devoured,
A dish of country butter sat next
to a pot of Robinson’s jam
And if I were extra good
I was rewarded with the
Gollydoll on the back of the label.
I helped to clear the dishes away
feeling privileged that she trusted me
with her china tea set.
I pulled the curtain across
the scullery entrance and watched
As she dug deep into her bosom
to retrieve her purse.
A treat for me, a shinning new penny
and another scapular of St Anthony,
this informed me that it was time for home.
Anorak zipped to the chin
she blessed me once more
And I could have swore the sacred heart
Winked at me as we tangled in a hug.
As I made my way down Hamilton St
I heard her lock the door behind me
Click, click, click
Father son and Holy Ghost.
Author notes
I give permission to my friend Fran to pass this poem on to his dear friend.
God bless
Dolores
In a list
A contest entry
- Where the mind drifts by Danna Hobart.
375 points, ended February 11, 2008, 18 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - A SPECIAL REQUEST [COMPETITION] by Fransb by FransB.
300 points, ended April 13, 2008, 28 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 29 of 29
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Oh
this is such a sweet write. I lived through reading it. You have such a lovely way to tell a story and in poem form! Bless you with three knocks my dear friend, I am blessed to know you. Frans -
Thanks for entering.
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Excellant/Inspirational
Very well written indeed. Although, imagery seems to indicate a Roman Catholic home, yet it reminds me of the homes of Orthodox Christian friends, I knew some time ago. Again well done. -
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Thanx for commenting on this poem.
You are right our home is catholic.
slán Dolores xx
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Beautiful portrait you paint with words
All the compliments do justice to your work, which is deserving of all the praise.
Three sharp short raps with the knuckles was how my Mum's Da taught her to knock. The dialect and the brand names give the reader a sense of place and period, maybe 1950's Ireland?
There is no apostrophe in says (eases her aches and pains) nor should there be any comma after says, as the word that has established the clause describing the pillow.
I'd only add that if you use punctuation in some places as appropriate, why not be consistent? Proof all of the poem? It's a fine poem, so putting say, for example, an exclamation after "Holy Ghost," or a period after "One two three" might be like icing on a delicious cake, or making sure all the buttons are buttoned on a fine tuxedo.
You've every right to be right proud of this poetical portrait of a visit between grandmother and grandaughter.
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Thanx so much for pointing out my silly errors will fix them. You encouragement is
my reward. I appreciate you kind applause also.
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This is so heartfelt of a write...it reminds me of my grandmother...she was born in spain...came to america and made a new home here..she always had these holy picture in her home..even statues...candles...your poem really brought back memories to me..good ones..I thank you for that...nicely done..lovely..thanks for sharing
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Many thanx for kind comments
i really do appreciate the fact
that people take time to read and leave a comment for the points.
Slán D. xx
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AMAZING!!!
Dolores this is my favourite piece of poetry that I have read at this site..and we have no shortage of excellent work. My God, you paint the picture so perfectly, from the first three knocks, father son, and holy you-know-who, to the sacred heart winking as you leave. Awk, absolutely brilliant!!! A bit more Robinson's please.. Mat
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Awww, a special time with grandma. It is indeed a special treat to have a tea party. I never did that with my grandma. She died when I was young, too young to remember much.
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Many thanx for your kind comment.
Slán D. xx
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The sacred use of three is pure and simple
This has such a fond and peaceful feeling to it. I hope that all your trips down memory lane are as blessed and well loved. The picture you paint is so vivid and full of life's little details. I can picture you sitting little feet kicking back and forth eyes alight with love and excitement! So tender and loving I'm sure that she was very proud of you. Beautiful. -
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I do appreciate you taking the
time to read this poem, many thnax.
Slan Dolores x
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nice
very nice
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Many thnax for your kind applause its much appreciated.
Slán D. xx
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We are blessed by these gems and angels in the flesh. They touch our hearts in a special way and make us better for the childhood delight and when we become adults. Thanks for the share. Love, Tom B.
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Your comment and applause
has encouraged me. i Thank you for
stopping by.
Slán Dolores x
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Thanks for sharing...
this lovely tale of the Isle and of your family. The treat is indeed mine.
Thanks again, Buddy
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Fantastic
Ive said it before and i'll say it again,
i could sit forever and listen to your stories,
i read this 3times and i know i'll be back again.
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!
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Hi Ya honey!
good to hear from you babe and i hope you are looking after that auld fella of yours...send a big dia duit (hello) from one O'Neill to another.
Slán Dolores xx
xx
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LOL
My dad now referes to you as Irelands Celine Dion,
hes a huge fan bless him
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wow
what an exquisite memory,]thanks for sharing,
Kj
PS. Gollidoll? I'll have to google that...
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Hi Ken,
No need to look up what a Gollidoll is.
Actually they are worth a lot of money now. Collectors want them.
Robinsons jam had sticky peel off Gollywogs (i don't mean to offend) They are no longer around because of the racist thing and rightfully so. they would make dolls of these like rag dolls and so on.
Well all of my brothers and sisters would scream for the sticker on the back of the jam jar (Jello) i think you call it. We won it for being best behaved. the idea was to collect 10 and stick them onto a paper bag of theirs and send them of for tin badge.
these were rare because they had to be awarded.
thabks for your comments and applause.
slan Dolores. xx
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Im not into the religion thing, but it was pretty good. Hopefully you can do this for your grandkids
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No where else of God's green earth could be as grand as the place you describe with your granny, dear this is so full of love and winderment of childhood memories, I could be with you in the same room and smell the lavender.
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Many thanks cannonsfire,
this was just a little memory of all the bigger ones. My granny's house was tiny...a terrace house with two romms up and two down, the toilet was in the yard and the scullery (kitchen) was just a cupboard and a jawbox (sink.
it was very dark inside she still had her gas mantle until 1974. the table was by the window and she always went ful out when we went to hers. she baked her own bread. Ther only perfume she wore was irish violets are lavender. six fett tall and when she died she was 20 stone. we feared and loved her, a hard woman who took not nonesense. thanx again.
Slán Dolores xx
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Wonderful
This took me to such a peaceful place. I could feel the love you had for this great lady, I would so love to read a book of yours, Your stories are just wonderful, Write on Poet
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wonderful!
what snapshots! excellent! -
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thanx for your comment,
It was very much appreciated.
slán dolores x
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