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Visiting
This visit was already made
A year ago, to be precise,
But Oh! remembrance does not fade
And this is where my trouble lies.
I made this trip a year ago
Which is now memory
As you dear friends can read below
All is now history.
I never really thought that I
Would find the strength to go,
But fear my brother dear could die
I had to go, - you know.
Lo!- I postponed my trip for years,
From fear of the good-bye,
But then I overcame my fears,
of farewells drawing nigh.
Arriving is a wondrous thing,
But after that good-bye
Is bitter hurt and cruel sting,
The thought just made me cry.
But oh I made the trip of love
went,- with God’s help I went,
The Lord sent me of strength enough,
Made me resilient.
Now emptiness I tolerate,
Recalling the farewell,
Its in the cards, its human fate,
To hurt at times like hell.
But sister and her brother met,
And said good-bye some morn,
But Father’s love with kindness shed
Grace, so it could be born.
The people say that visiting is nice,
And with anticipation plan a trip,
To animate, rekindle friendship ties.
Or just renew an old relationship.
For decades may have passed since some saw last
A brother whose blond hair turned silver gray,
With all the many years that quickly passed,
For time runs with swift feet and spurns delay.
T’is great to see again the native land,
The hallowed homestead of the ancestry,
While walking with a brother hand in hand,
Refreshing and rekindling memory.
To see again the glaciers and the brooks,
And sites with their enchanting scenery,
The secret hideout and the mossy nooks,
The little caves, the ancient poplar tree.
The alpine lakes were they together sailed,
In little skiffs, of happy souvenir,
The peaks that they together boldly scaled,
When time was right in summer every year
The hallowed grave plot where the parents rest,
The well forged crucifix with vine that vies
With thriving dahlias - the loveliest,
And rows and rows of silver Edelweiss.
Rejoice! - to see your native land again,
Were you were reared and cradled with great love,
Where love outshone by far all hurts pain
And blessings streamed like torrents from above.
Oh joy! the Wiedersehn’s sweet first embrace,
At the arrival, but the time slips by,
And all too quickly pass the joyous days,
Time runs, - its time again to say good-bye
Great joy is dampened and most cruelly marred
Each time the hometown belfrey sounds it chime,
Reminding of the hour of depart,
Of air planes waiting, tarmacs, - fleeting time.
Fear visiting! Fear visiting! fear! fear!
Oh anguish! its so bitter to take leave
And kiss a last time him you do hold so dear.
that you perhaps may see no more, Oh grief!.
Return to yawning void and emptiness,
While last impressions still so deeply burn,
And fresh cut memories most riotous,
Assert their space - be brave when you return!
I got a "welcome back" from only two,
Flick Fanny and the Fairy Queen ConSue
The Edelweiss is the flower of Royalty and of Love
© Elizabeth Dandy
For decades may have passed since some saw last
A brother whose blond hair turned silver gray,
With all the many years that quickly passed,
For time runs with swift feet and spurns delay.
T’is great to see again the native land,
The hallowed homestead of the ancestry,
While walking with a brother hand in hand,
Refreshing and rekindling memory.
To see again the glaciers and the brooks,
And sites with their enchanting scenery,
The secret hideout and the mossy nooks,
The little caves, the ancient poplar tree.
The alpine lakes were they together sailed,
In little skiffs, of happy souvenir,
The peaks that they together boldly scaled,
When time was right in summer every year
The hallowed grave plot where the parents rest,
The well forged crucifix with vine that vies
With thriving dahlias - the loveliest,
And rows and rows of silver Edelweiss.
Rejoice! - to see your native land again,
Were you were reared and cradled with great love,
Where love outshone by far all hurts pain
And blessings streamed like torrents from above.
Oh joy! the Wiedersehn’s sweet first embrace,
At the arrival, but the time slips by,
And all too quickly pass the joyous days,
Time runs, - its time again to say good-bye
Great joy is dampened and most cruelly marred
Each time the hometown belfrey sounds it chime,
Reminding of the hour of depart,
Of air planes waiting, tarmacs, - fleeting time.
Fear visiting! Fear visiting! fear! fear!
Oh anguish! its so bitter to take leave
And kiss a last time him you do hold so dear.
that you perhaps may see no more, Oh grief!.
Return to yawning void and emptiness,
While last impressions still so deeply burn,
And fresh cut memories most riotous,
Assert their space - be brave when you return!
I got a "welcome back" from only two,
Flick Fanny and the Fairy Queen ConSue
The Edelweiss is the flower of Royalty and of Love
© Elizabeth Dandy
Beautiful write Elizabeth!
I left my home state of New Hampshire in 1981 and have never gone back. Since leaving, I've lost both my mom and dad and have never made that personal trek to their gravesite to say my Good-Byes.
I have 2 older brothers, one a half brother who will be 68 this year that I haven't spoken to since I left and another 64 that I have lost touch with.
This great poem has given me insight into reasons why I've not made the trek of which you speak here. It's just too painful.
Thank you for sharing your experience in this great poem. You've been an inspiration to me and I miss the chats we used to have by phone and in our chats in the chat rooms both here and on a now defunct sight I shared with a really special person down under that gave me many great hours of enjoyment. I'm glad you are still writing and think fondly of you from time to time.
You're friend from the past who has not forgotten you for all you've shared with me.
In light and love,
Bravehawk