Wednesday 17 April 2019

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

20 comments:

  1. If Megan and she are together, the highway will not be dark.

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  2. That's so lovely and very moving.

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  3. That really is lovely, thanks for sharing T

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    1. Thank you for reading, Cathy and Georgia! x

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  4. What a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it with us. Did your mom write a lot of poetry in general?

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    1. I don't think so, no, Lydia - at least, little that we've ever come across. I remember when I was in my teens she was working on a short story once, but that's all. But it's maybe where I get it from, though! Thanks for reading xx

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  5. Hi Terry - she was a wordsmith ... something she's passed on to you. How lovely that you found it and your brother was able to read it out for her last service - and yes I sincerely hope she and Megan are happily together ...
    Have a peaceful Eastertide - cheers Hilary

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    1. Thank you for your kind message, Hilary xx

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  6. Thanks for sharing Terry. That was quite beautiful.

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  7. Lovely and haunting. I feel like that about the friend I lost last year.

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  8. That's beautiful and a fitting tribute for her funeral. The writing gift has obviously been passed on in the genes.

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  9. How beautiful. So sorry to hear of your loss.

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    1. Thank you so much, PJ, Liz and Unknown x 2 for reading, and your kind messages xx

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  10. My goodness, Terry. I see where you get your writing talent from. That is an absolutely exquisitely beautiful sonnet. How fitting that your brother read it at her funeral. Thank you for sharing. So sorry for your loss.

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  11. Wonderfully evocative. A talent passed on, Terry.

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    1. Never occurred to me that this was where I got it from until I read this, J!

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  12. Thanks for sharing it, Terry. Beautiful and very moving.

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