A Power Within

Category: Poetry Page 1 of 10

Jimaal.

Jimaal.

The leaden sky hung above this tiny Karawan,

wherefore do they travel?

dreams are packed within these

woven camel-coverings, as

their plodding graceful sway

on this warm sultry morning

goes steadily along…

 

as sure footed these unique beasts

make their way across the desert,

joy always goes with them, love and faith joins their dusty journey,

for without these much loved beasts of burden there would be no desert, no

pungent aroma of aspirations, desires, amid milk and life, no toil and no dreams…

SusieHemingway 2025

Photo courtesy of Fadi Lydon.

I Missed You.

                             

I missed you, when the heated rhythm of Salsa, that feels so like chillies when they touch your tongue drifted across the dance floor,
I missed you as this enticing music reached my jewelled pinned ears.
Where were you? When the luscious sounds of Sax blues, caught my needy toes so carefully encased in high dancing shoes.
Where were those slim sun touched hands that would reach to twirl me to the dance floor.
Where was the graceful dancer, whose gentle persuasion could spin me like a whirlpool, making me turn and sway to the sounds of Latin beats and Bluesy tones.
Tell me, where were those magical eyes, those sparkling rays of light, that always laughed with me.
Where was that smile, those breathy movements on the dance floor, those feet that could glide and coax the dancer from my soul.
How my heart wants to dance with you once more, instead of standing alone when the music calls to me.
I watched the others spin and whirl but my arms were empty, sadness for your charms that made me feel like sixteen again.
I was never a wallflower but she has found me now, where were you when the deliciously heated sound of Salsa reached my ears,
where were you?

 

This Special Time.

The late afternoon air was sweet,
delicious aromas of lavish scent
and expensive cologne filled the air,
the deliciousness of mouth watering food
filled this beautiful space
reaching my nose!
You know this coming together
of careful preparation, of thought
and special management.

This party was perfect and
I know about parties
the right ingredients that go together
to make it so, wonderful music and
a beautiful space,
this was certainly that!
All the tiny touches that create
the ambiance that pleases the eyes
even old ones, like mine…

Making no excuses I like beautiful things,
people, interesting and well mannered,
houses, homes stunningly created with
love and care.
Visually appealing always charms my soul,
It has always been this way
even when money was a little less available
beautiful scenes gave me immense joy.
All this was there…

A stunning home, beautiful gardens,
green and lush, dripping yellow roses
the scent of which caught your nose
and most of all beautiful people, laughing,
chatting in groups, catching up on years missed.
Oh the joy of talking to lovely souls! Seeing
the handsome faces with bright sparkling
joyful eyes, beautiful faces, pretty dresses
much laughter and special times…

Memorable moments are made from
these special occasions,
hard work and thoughtfulness that
bring together family and friends
who love to be together and will travel
across the world to make it so,
dear family that bring us closer…
My eyes are much older now, but my heart
brims with love to see them all.

Thank you everyone who made this possible
that made this such a special time…

©Susie Hemingway. August 2024.

Going Down

Going Down…

How fast life changed
I torpedoed to the bottom
I crashed and fell…
Legs forgot how to work
as furnace burnt into my chest
and a sea of dampness turned
my head into a torrent of water.

I shivered and shook, the severity of rigours
that could not be controlled.
I couldn’t remember my name but
two people could, they gathered me,
pulled me back, fought for me, I could hear them…
Strong words spoke for me, kind hands helped in every way.
I closed my eyes and drifted to that easier place…

Blue lights and strong hands, noise and speed,
“is the speed scary Mam” the ambulance medic asked,
I do remember saying I though it all rather exciting,
as needles went into my hands, and oxygen
covered my strangely blue lips.
Very bright overhead lights and reassuring voices
as I was whisked along at speed.
It didn’t look like any hospital I had visited before!

Hard gurney turned to soft bed,
hands and arms became medi-ports
as a team of nurses arrived and took over my body.
A respiratory specialist appeared
with a calm and smiling face and tons of knowledge.
Oxygen stayed put.
Bloods taken showed massive infection.

Thank you for getting me here so quickly.
Thank you for such great life saving attention,
I wanted to sleep but your loving faces pulled me back,
thank you both for sleeping over
when the storm appeared,
I was scared but you willed me to stay.

I am still here…
I am so grateful and humbled
I am still here…

April 2024. Dubai.

True Love Speaks.


True Love Speaks.

 

There are many ways to love,
but love only endures when it moves like waves,
dancing like the tide, that ebbs and flows.
When love comes into sight
It liberates us all into life until
joined in loving commitment.
To know why the desert
burns with fever,
Is to understand its magic,
Just like the knowledge of real love,
It brings with it such serenity,
such peacefulness,
such fulfilment and such joy.

 

Those that truly love, have roots
that grow towards each other,
like the rare desert trees,
they find that they are one tree and not two.
How do we know true love speaks?
Seek for those trusting eyes,
cherish that kindness of heart,
nurture that precious love,
that perfect someone who
makes you smile, for it only
takes a smile to make a dark day
seem bright.

 

Sometimes people come into our lives
leaving their footprints on our hearts
and we are never the same again.
True love speaks in tender tones
and hears with gentle ear,
true love gives with open heart
and true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands,
it neither rules or binds
and true love holds with gentle hands
the heart that it entwines.
Two lives together bound by fate,
a love found in the sands of Dubai.
Two parts of a loving whole
two hearts a single soul combined.
So, as we gather here
on this very special day
our dear family and our dear friends
from so many corners of our beautiful world,
we come to celebrate this special love,
for we know love speaks.
There really is no place large enough
to contain so much joy,
so we smile and hold out our hands to the universe
and with all the love we possess
Wish our Leanne and Jo every happiness.
Leanne and Joes Wedding 1st April 2023
Photo courtesy of my desert friend Fadi Lydon.
copyright Susie Hemingway .

 

Some comments taken from social media.

what a beautiful poem- Jodie Mernagh April 2023

truly beautiful-Anne Manning

oh that must have been so lovely to hear at the wedding, as always wonderful words. Audrey Blincow.

lovely poem -Ali Voysey-Jenson.

how did you read that without collapsing in tears? Truly beautiful celebrating the love that you brought into the world for the next generation to wrap themselves in. Just beautiful Susie. esp for ex-Pat children. Deidre Hamilton Stewart.

so very beautiful Susie, Dianne West Garvey.

What a beautiful Wedding gift that will only grow more precious as the years progress, they find that they are one tree and not two. John A. Bayern.

Beautiful and very relevant- Gill Sims.

the photo fits the poem just beautifully – Gwen Macrae.

that is just gloriously beautiful Susie, what a wonderful gift for them.- Sian Williams.

 

 

 

Feel My Dreams For You.

“Feel my dreams for you”

Solace of mind on difficult days,
comfort when troubled
or when sadness bleeds your heart,
wise eyes to be able to see all beauty
especially in unexpected places,
laughter to play on those beautiful lips,
the ability to accept in those sparkling eyes,
hugs that raise your spirit soul
and friends to share those happy days.

Laughter in abundance to surround and fulfil,
to ring in your ears, play on your mouth,
faith to hold you up, to believe on those tough days,
confidence when the journey is not easy
Patience and courage when days are difficult and
unrelenting,
but most of all compassion and an
abundance of love to complete your life.

May you always have a sunlit door to walk through…

 

Poem dedicated to my Sons and Grandson.
Susie Hemingway. 2022

The Open Door Photo: Courtesy of Anne Manning with thanks.

 

Watching Clouds.

Watching Clouds…

I’m watching clouds today.
You know, when the sky is the colour of cornflowers and the wind is high in a sky as large as an ocean,
these white fluffy cottonwool shapes scud past as
I lie on my soft snugly bed, the sky clear and lemony sunny,
I’m watching clouds today.

My balcony door is wide open, the breeze is sharp and Winter fresh, my nose is going pink
but under my warmest blanket with hot water bottle in place I am as warm as if being on a Caribbean beach.

I’m seeing the world today.

One soft white air-balloon sped by, I am sure people were waving,
followed by a perfect Isle of Wight
then came a magical galleon ship, well maybe not quite a galleon ship but huge sails full of powerful gusts puffed out in front, full I’m sure of gold and pearls.
Then a strangely big leg of Italy very close, kicking away from the rest of its land.
I’m watching clouds today.

An odd tree came next, most shapely I thought, blown sideways but I turned my head just in time.Then came a large alligator not of white clouds but formed from the gaps between but you never have cornflower blue alligators do you?
Imagination is a wonderful thing.

I’m watching clouds today.

Susie Hemingway 2021

Watching Clouds.

And Suddenly – Covid.

The world turned on its head today,
It collided, stumbled stuttered and fell.
the bustling regular ordinary days
the ones we love the best, changed,
slowly at first but then, with a great rush of fear.


The world turned on its axis, it shuddered,

And all at once fearful for the life of our world to come,
we halted and stalled.
Those approaching the Autumn of their days
must stay contained, the hardy stalwarts must
not rock this boat  or it might capsize, might go under…

 

The young executives our money makers,
our decision makers, now confined to home offices,
sitting in underpants,
as trains and city centres empty
draining like blood from worried faces…
The world turned on its axis today…

 

The call to prayer, voices thinned, as announcements
came of closures of Mosques,
the suspension of Mass starting to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The world turned on its axle today….
Theme parks stilled, theatres, cinemas, halted in prose,
visas suspended as the world turned on
It’s axis today…


Death is not the only common fear, science is the only common hope.

Humanity is our only common thread.
The world turned on its axis today…
Susie Hemingway March 2020

 

This Magic Isle-Crete Reunion.2019

This Magic Isle – Crete Reunion 2019.

This magic Isle of new memories that nurtured
the souls of those that loved…
the hot golden days of our desert time,
where friends were made to last and stay
in OUR Oasis town of palms and sand.

For some, more than half a life ago
remember a different time, of roaming camels
soaring temperatures, dusty lives where
bonds were made to last and stay..
See you again one day we said.

So for us the stalwarts of this time,
staunch, committed, fun and steadfast
we meet again, still vigorous and redoubtable,
to reminisce of years gone by.
Unhesitatingly enjoying all of our memories…

We shared again on this lovely Island of Crete
We shared again…

Susie Hemingway Moursi – 4th Reunion Crete 2019.

Emotional On Bus 34.

 

Lowered eyes glanced through grimy windows
smeared rain spots across the filthy panes of Bus34.
Memories sneaked the corners of my mind and rolled hotly down my cheeks.
Casting eyes upwards to grey smudgy skies, head resting at a tired angle
I looked for you…

 

The dirty light of filthy day, no sunshine broke my blurring eyes
your dear dark velvet, heavily fringed eyes, slowing closing
flooded my mind and filled my vision.
Desperate days that still seemed like yesterday,
days that were long now, spoilt by loss.
Taking this evening route daily
life did not improve, my time to recall,
my time to remember…

 

Emotional on Bus 34.

I Have Not Forgotten.

Do You Think I had Forgotten You ?

 

The years and months pass quickly now from the delicate Springtime to the gloriously hot Summers the brilliant kaleidoscope of Autumn and on to the snow covered Winters,the days and months sneakily roll into one patch of time.I look from my windows at the changing seasons but only see you, do you think I had forgotten? I cover my days well, I smile a lot, its good to smile…But forget no! There will be no forgetting.
Loss is made endurable by love and it is love that will echo through eternity…

Can I Mention Your Name.

When I don’t mention your name

it wishes to slip through my lips

it rolls around in my mouth

it hinders my speech

you are not a memory lost

you are with me always

yearning to escape,

please can I mention your name?

 

A new guest for tea

like old school friends relaying

the years past, the joy of connection

laughter and life,

she asks your name

it flows like a coursing stream

channels down on fresh white linen it falls,

it ripples, slides and spills…

 

Oh the joy of saying your name

oh the passage of cherished time

fills my heart making my ears happy,

your name tastes of sweet soft

honey on my tongue,

it tastes of Caspian beluga caviar

on thin warm blinis,

it makes my eyes open wide with joy,

it is my heaven it is my desire…

 

 Can I mention your name…

“Manchester”

A poem…begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness… It finds the thought and the thought finds the words.
ROBERT FROST, The letters of Robert Frost to Louis Untermeyer.

Manchester – 22 May 2017

Dark these recent stormy skies
battleship grey, gloom filled evening
entangled with tears…
Blood spills in joyous places from
young music revellers,
it flows warmly away
on their recent faces of smiles…

It is not the teaching of Islam
for there is no religion
that would condone this act
your souls are damaged
by promises of a utopian heaven
for this is NOT the teaching of Islam…

Your minds are radicalised,
soaked from poison dripped evil,
do you not understand what is happening?
Listen and STOP!

This corruption of your spoilt minds,
brain-washed by evil despots
who are themselves the infidels…

This is NOT religion, it is NOT the teachings of Islam.

Those Desert Days – Reunion Al Ain – April 2017

Desert Days.

To walk on desert sands, to feel the warmth of the rust coloured grains between your toes,
the magic of this gentle land will steal your heart to return once more…

this land will embrace you, it will fill your eyes with wondrous visions, this torpid heat, indolent, inert and lazy will slow your pace

the vivid clarity of light, the cobalt sky will relentlessly cover you, it will embrace you, it will open tired eyes to see much further than the desert sands…

the silence of the desert will calm you, it will intrigue and bring serenity but it could also fatally teach you respect!

surreal the colours of sunset, vibrant, bathed in reds, enhancing the beauty
as does the ‘call to prayer’ like a knell at parting day…

this diorama just a spectacular painting, where artist’s brush chooses to change hourly, as the desert changes its colours as if a chameleon

this rhythm and flow…this energy of life proves as natural as breathing,
the colours mock and tease us, pumpkin, magenta, vermillion, amber, all colours of the palette are here,

it is haunting, a delightful sanctuary, a restful utterance of joy which speaks to me,

it is meditative, it is a powerful authority, so often the face of courage,

it is the desert, for It is the desert…

The Box Of Secrets – Poems of Love.

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“The Box Of Secrets” Poems and Photos available in soft-back and hardback styles, all to be found on www.blurb.co.uk. Under poetry. Or http://www.blurb.com/b/7455812-the-box-of-secrets  This book is sold via Blurb and not from this page.

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