memories

she placed the violin under her chin then -

looked up before striking a pose, shoulders

elegantly leaning back but only a little - 

her long mid brown hair especially washed

the bow trembled, her blue eyes blinked, 

full lips set firm;  the ceiling bulb was a raw

spot light, the audience - a family of two

proud parents, dear gran and six siblings

was Thursday, the real dress rehearsal the

morrow.. she was wearing a long dress -

mother-made of emerald blue cotton,

edged with old (Devonian) Honiton lace

was quite shy twelve year old Hannah's first 

performance in public; once adult she played 

with an orchestra miles from us. At thirty two

she played a scherzo at the Pearly Gates

    

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

The last line gets our attention abruptly as the memoir includes a tragic ending. I have a feeling the speaker is one of the siblings and this poem was inspired by Hannah's birthday. As the old saying goes, the good die young.

[emmajoygreen]

20 April is Hannah's birthday, wanted to put words on paper, remembering a time when our family supported her prior to what would be her first public performance. Many thanks for such an understanding review.

[Betty Hermelee]

A beautiful tribute to your sister Emma; I love the the sounds of the violin, but not the way my brother ,as a kid, practiced; nearly burned our ears.... but your sister was a real musician....at an early age, with much support from the family....your images are vivid and we are all a bit nervous before a performance,...but she went on to play as an adult with live audiences and was successful until....her premature death; I must say the ending shocked me a bit, but the way you portrayed it was gentle and heartfelt. Loved it.
Best to you my friend
B.

[emmajoygreen]

How wonderfully kind and empathetic, Betty., many thank yous. Must admit - rather think Hannah would have agreed - apparently she too made some pretty awful sounds! x

[Betty Hermelee]

They all do, especially as kids; we used to scream at my brother shut up!
Hugs
B

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the complete story in the poetry.
"she placed the violin under her chin
looked up best she could, struck a pose,
shoulders leaning back a little but
only a little - her mid brown hair gleamed"
I liked how you described her pose. You allowed the reader to tag a long with the girl. On a good day. Thank you dear Emma for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[emmajoygreen]

Many thank yous for sparing time and being so kind. Wishing you and your family a happy weekend, dear sir.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Emma and I hope you are enjoying the days of Spring.

[Lisasview]

So wonderful to feel such affection for a sibling!! Good for Hannah!!!
Really enjoyed the read.
Lisa

[emmajoygreen]

She was special from the word 'go';. Even when learning to play the violin she sounded more or less like a musician!!! She'd laugh and agree, believe me. Thank you so much for your review and time, Lisa.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"aged twelve; once adult she played with
an orchestra miles from us, at thirty two
she played a scherzo at the Pearly Gates"
Dearest Emma, this tribute to your sister Hannah is so deeply touching. Her life trembled in the balance of her heavenly notes. I know she is your guardian angel and watching over you every minute. The twist of this ending is abrupt and heartbreaking, as very often life is. May God bless and comfort you.

[emmajoygreen]

Many thank yous, dear Annette, know you understand how it goes with my birth family. Four of us took Hannah some flowers earlier, and, would you believe it.. although the air was cold, the sky was as blue as blue. A wee miracle indeed. Take care, keep safe. (dear adopted mom).

[willweb]

The beauty of your poem, the feeling of nervousness, the watching eyes, a silent living room waiting to hear, so much is felt in the opening of this piece, but all is overshadowed by the sadness I found waiting at the end as all I could hear at that moment was the sound of my own heart breaking. : (

[emmajoygreen]

Thank you, dear friend. I still and always will remember her music, it was 'almost' as true as its composer meant it to be. Of course, there's been chitter chat about that once special performance over the years, almost all happy and proud chat. too

[Chris Shaw]

So poignant a poem is this Em of your dear sister Hannah, on an occasion which must have been quite nerve wracking for her at twelve.

The bow trembled …. yes I saw the image of her clearly at dress rehearsal with a family audience. I saw the dress your mother had stitched specially for the occasion, the emerald green cotton edged with Honiton lace. How lovely she must have looked.

And then, the tragic ending. A life cut short. So cruel life can be and the loss of a sibling is one you never recover from.

Your stanzas are beautiful to the reader as must be her loving memory to you.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Em... the softest of violin strings have touched my being...
as I read your story of vintage love... a scherzo at the Pearly Gates.
You are the Best. tenderly, Pat

[emmajoygreen]

Thank you so very much, dear Pat., your words brighten the shadow of my words. xxxx

[Lorry]

Such a beautiful, if poignant and etched with tears memory of your dear sis.
Can feel the apprehension that can only come with youth and nerves of a dreaded mistake, in front of what would have been her most supportive audience.
You capture so well the trepidation of a young lass being a proper grown up lass and the hope that all goes well, from herself and audience alike.
A fitting tribute to a dear sis, taken too young from her loving family.

[emmajoygreen]

True. Not sure about posting.. but thank you, dear friend,