Poem

[EricaE]

I just wanted to share this poem (written by my late father-in-law, translated from the original Welsh by my husband). It speak to me, it may speak to some of you. xxxxx

The Black Thorn

This brittle and aged figure

That stood thin at the side of our field

Is now leaving its lonely station

To its final call it must yield.

The locality hardly notices

As it’s lowered into the ground

Save for the few silent figures

Loyally gathered around.

For who would recall but its kindred

Who shared with it sunshine and showers

That this old black thorn in its season

Was a breathtaking whiteness of flowers.

[Kevin_1]

Beautiful.

Thank you so much for sharing this.

[smallshaw]

Beautiful EericaE.

[Marie_14]

Erica that I certainly can relate to. It is beautiful. I wonder what your late Father in Law was thinking when he wrote it? What part of Wales did he come from? I live in England but right by the border between both countries.

I love Blackthorn by the way but there is nothing like as much if it as there once was.

Thanks for sharing.

Marie x

[EricaE in reply to Marie_14]

Thank you Marie.

My father-in-law was born in Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire but moved around Wales spending most of his working life in Mold, Flintshire where he was Minister of Bethesda Chapel before moving back to Carmarthenshire after the death of my mother-in-law. We live in Cardiff. The last two lines bring a lump to my throat every time I read them.

Erica xx

[LostinHeadSpace in reply to EricaE]

Those last two lines! That's just what i was going to comment on. Lovely and powerful.

[EricaE in reply to Marie_14]

I think - but of course I don't know - he might have been thinking about aging and dying and that we were once all young, all "a breathtaking whiteness of flowers" xx

[Marie_14]

Erica here I go again! Have lost two replies to you already! I live about 30 minutes from Mold. I have been to Carmarthenshire and Cardiff but ages ago now.

What a lovely poem to remember your Father-in-law with. I wish I could write poetry but I am useless! Love reading it though. I am in awe of people who can write it.

I think he probably was thinking about the end of life too. What a lovely way to put his thoughts into words?

Take care of yourself Erica and remember we are here for you.

Hugs.

Marie x

[EricaE in reply to Marie_14]

My husband tells me his dad wrote it when living in Mold!

You take care of yourself too.

Thank you xxxxx

[Yvonneandgeorge]

Beautiful thank you for sharing it with us xxxx

[DenB]

So beautiful!

D x

[Brenive]

Thank you for sharing ...Brenda xxx

[Katiebow]

Such a beautiful poem, very tender and touching.

Kate xx

[cameoboy11]

So beaùtiful xxx

[daddyt]

Beautiful, thank you for sharing it. May I re-post this? If so can you give your FL's name so that he may receive credit for this little gem.

Tim

[EricaE in reply to daddyt]

Thank you Tim - of course you may re-post.

His name was J. Eirian Davies (1918-1998) - Welsh poet and Methodist Minister.

Erica

[ninalulu]

thar is so beautiful

[ninalulu]

that is so beautiful

[Nanny857]

Lovely poem EricaE, thanks so much for sharing. xx

[Pagesofwords]

This is a beautiful poem. Thank you. I am crying so hard because my sister died yesterday. She was a brightness of flowers before PSP and is now in a field of glory beyond our wildest dreams.

[EricaE in reply to Pagesofwords]

I'm so sorry. Thinking of you.

[rriddle]

Lovely.

[raincitygirl]

And so simply and perfectly true...🍂🥀

Anne G.