A sonnet written by my mother in 1946

My mother wrote this at the age of twenty, for her best friend, in days of yore, decades before the internet made it possible for people to share such things ~ so I wanted to share it now.  I think it's beautiful.

Sonnet for Megan

on the occasion of her twentieth birthday

When the inevitable veil of death

Swathes my blind eyes, and fingers of the night

Lie strong across my throat, prevent my breath

And the drenched perfume of Midsummer light,

Will I remember hours that took their toll

Watched by contented dome and stunning spire

Sun-happy river communing with its soul

Wise trees and flashing gulls that never tire?

Will I recall the laughter in your eyes

On afternoons we wasted thriftily?

Tasting strange words and childish ecstasies

While soft-foot minutes vanished silently?

And will you reach a friendly hand to me

Down the dark highway to Eternity?

Barbara Dorothy Daish

May 1946

My brother read it out at Mum's funeral this week.  Megan, for whom it was written, died a few years ago; I hope she is, indeed, reaching a friendly hand out to Mum down that 'dark highway'. 

Mum in 1930, aged 4

... and in around 2004, aged around 78