Monday, October 27, 2008

"Words of my Heart" by Irene Kennedy

I recently ordered this book of poetry and am so glad I did. The author, Irene Kennedy, is the ninety-something year old grandmother of one of my graphic designer friends. Clint worked with his grandmother, gathered her wonderful poetry which she's been writing as a hobby since the 1940's, and designed a book that's available for purchase on lulu.com (link below.) What a talented wordsmith she is. Here are a few examples:

(below are copyright Irene Kennedy)


Step by Irene Kennedy

Part way up the stair

On that step

That is neither here nor there

She squats.

Topaz-colored head

Presses against the spindles

That the small hands grasp.


I do not say a word
But smile into those

Blue-green eyes staring down.


There's something about that step
Part way up the stair

That's neither here nor there.

Her thought brings forth a sigh
from that sturdy little chest,
"Mother, do cows cry?"

-------

I Sit Beside You
by Irene Kennedy

I sit beside you,

Your hand in mine,

And watch you breathing

Shallow and slow.

I felt your tired spirit

Tugging to let go.

For one precious moment

I held your life to mine;

And your great love

Burst around me,

For all time.


When we at the altar

Said our "I Do's"

You were very much aware.

When our babies were born,

You were there.

When they went out on their own,

You were there.

When they returned,

Their ventures to tell,

You were there.


You rejoiced with me

In all our happiness,

And comforted me in sorrow.

When at times, my anger did unfurl,

You were there,

Saying in your quiet voice,
"Down Girl."
You laughed at all my schemes and quirks.

But at the same time

Helped me to make them work.


Now as your hand slides

Slowly out of mine,

I see you through a fallen tear.

Your spirit says to mine,

"I am always here."


-------


Lydia "Rangar's Wife" by Irene Kennedy

Oh, Lydia's tall and handsome

Of lovely eye and hair

But she can wield the woodman's axe

And shoot the eye of a bear.


Oh, Lydia's cakes are fluffy

Her sewing even and fine

But she can portage her own canoe

And cast a good trout line.


Oh, Lydia's like a forest tree

Sturdy and straight and strong

But she can dance like a gypsy

And sing a glorious song.


-------

I greatly admire people with the talent to use words so eloquently to paint the picture of an emotion, person, experience or place. There are over a hundred other poems in the book. The website, lulu.com, is a self publishing service and you'd be buying direct from the author. Here's a link: http://stores.lulu.com/irenekennedy

3 comments:

Jocelyn said...

Listen, I try to adopt the stance that I don't like poetry. So you're going to need to stop this stuff, especially that "you were there" poem that made me all snuffly.

Anonymous said...

Great poems! The first one made me smile, the second made me tear up and the third made me want to read it out loud just to hear the rhythm. Good choices. :)

Balou said...

Jocelyn - Mwahahaha. I was sent here to change your ways. ;) I'm not an avid poetry reader but I like poems that don't make you think too terribly hard of what the poet is trying to say, but rather poems that have maybe one hidden layer of meaning.

Trisha - Exactly! Me too!

Actonbell - The second one makes me tear up every time too. Glad you like the music.