©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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Tag: Loss
I don’t know if it’s the weather or Ronovan is on the speed highway this season with his writings, but I’m loving the challenges. https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2016/05/09/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-96-lightningrain/
The Loss
Passed with lightning speed
Before any could say watch out…
Buried as tears fall.
Gaining Grounds
At first sight clouds form
Swiftly two hearts beat as one
Enjoying warm rain.
Picture Sources: http://caliaccidents.com/car-accidents/11-year-old-girl-killed-in-fiery-crash-at-highway-checkpoint/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
Though I’m late with this week’s haiku, I’m not missing Ronovan’s challenge for anything. I keep wondering how he comes up with the words he brings, so contrasting yet by the time I started writing, I’m awed! https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-90-friendshiver/
The Loss
Throbbing pain hits frame
Peace from an Ally, comforts
Giving Joy not loss
A Reassurance
I will be with you
Though the tremor comes to stay
I’ll guide you dear one.
Picture source: http://www.wellwithincounselling.com/grief-and-loss/
©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
We have all lost someone. I lost Mike, Nelly lost Bruce and mummy lost her sweetheart, my father in-law. Hmmm, I don’t want to entertain any weird thoughts, but (looking lost in her sober world), what is really wrong with this family? Why are all the men dead?
Betty! Betty!! Be…
Turning briskly towards the source of the sound, she manages a smile “Hi Nelly”, heaving a sigh Betty continues “Hope you slept well, the night was long and the air a bit still, so I couldn’t sleep much.” She realises that Nelly had sought her out and not the other way round, certainly she must have something to say. “Sorry, I just went off on a tangent, what did you need me to do for you?”
“Betty, Mike, Bruce and Papa have been gone for years now, how long will you mourn them? I know it’s difficult forgetting people you have loved and lived with for a while, but sis, life goes on,” Nelly said philosophically, the pains in her heart etched on her face “with the way you are going about it, you might likely join them; I don’t want to be left alone with mama, please get a grip on yourself.” She concludes with uncertainty. Bending over to pick the water pot which she places firmly between her body and arm, “I’ve been considering something for a while now, before we grow old and become grouchy old women, is it not better we re-marry? I’m so ready to live life again and so should you. After all Mama doesn’t have any more sons for us to get married to” lowering her voice at this point “and even if she did, I’m not sure I would consider it,” “Why?” Betty asked with as she picked her own water pot. “They might be like their siblings and die early of course!” With that she stomped off towards the path leading to the stream. Betty followed quietly pondering why Nelly was always such a drama queen and almost heartless in a way. But underneath she’s such an angel. If you can stand her assertiveness. I wonder how Bruce and her survived that long, some mothers do have them. “Wait up for me Nelly!” Betty called out hurrying after her.
●●●
Mama had pondered about the matter for weeks now. She loved them like her own, what will people say?
“If they were her own children, would she do this?”
“Wicked woman! After killing their husbands plus her own through diabolical means, she has thrown them out.”
“It’s about time, carry your bad luck and leave our land for us.”
Life had been unkind, why? What did I do wrong? Who did I offend in my youthful age? Why me? She started on her tirade of thoughts which usually ended in sobs. When is this going to end? I can’t even go to the stream or the market freely. Well, I cannot continue like this or I might lose my mind. It is better I am amongst my kind. I’ll feel a lot more welcomed there that the pure undiluted hatred I feel here with every rising of the sun. It has been years but the pain is still so fresh!
Betty! Nelly!!
Where are these children? She wondered. “Mama, they went to the stream”, someone answered in the compound before she could scream their names again. Since morning! I’m sure Nelly is slowing down the train with her plenty stories. “Thank you” Mama shouted after the voice.
●●●
“Like we discussed last week. I’ll be on my way now, you know I have to be at the park 30 minutes before take-off. Don’t forget anything I told you; as you have been good daughters to me, remain so; and may God give you great men as husbands.” Hugging them tightly as if their heart would disintegrate if they separated, they sobbed in each other’s arms briefly, stepped and wiped their dripping noses. “Mama,” Betty began “last night I made up my mind to follow you back to your State. Since Mike and I got married, we never found the time to go there, especially since the crises between them and the neighbouring State.” The mixture of joy and sadness that sprang into Mama’s eyes was obvious and with a questioning gaze she looked towards Nelly. “Mama, I’ll remain here and possibly get remarried.”
●●●
“Back in the days, she was the belle of the community. Because of girls like her, girls like us went unnoticed.”
“Ehen! So this is how life is? After all their shakara, they have come back again.”
“They? You mean she and that strange girl?”
“She left with three men and returned with a girl. Wonders shall never cease.”
“Have you guys heard?” another interjected “Mmakamba, sent the girl she brought back” “Betty, you mean” one supplied the name. “Yes, Betty, to go and work at the new factory down the road.”
“Tell me something! You know the CEO is young, tall, dark, handsome, loaded, Lekki-living, hummer-driving, money-spending… and single!”
“Mmakamba has started again o! I hope she hasn’t forgotten that we also have daughters and sisters who have never been married, she should not even go there.”
“Anyway I’m sure Eric will not look at her twice. Don’t forget she’s a widow. When there’s fresh blood to go round. Who wants used ones?” Hahahahahahahhahaha they all reeled out in unison laughing.
●●●
♫Here comes the bride, all dressed in white♫ they all sang and Mmakamba smiled forgetting her pains of past losses, as Betty strolled down the aisle towards Eric, looking every inch an angel.
Ruth 1 – 4
Picture Source: http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-get-into-the-groove-1/
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
Categories
I’m back…I’m sorry…I’m glad
Hmmm…
I’m sure you are wondering “what does she mean?, what happened? what’s she talking about?”
I went away for personal reasons:
a burial (had to say farewell to my auntie)
a break (the body needs to rest you know)
bonding (…I won’t go into details, maybe you should ask King-Earl)
I’m sorry I left without saying anything to you!
I could have from wherever I was…
I chose not to…not because I didn’t care
Or you weren’t that dear
I just didn’t! And that’s true.
I’m glad to be back
That I have missed you and you and you
Even you…is the truth and you know it to be so
Thank you for still checking on me
A NAME FOR EVERYTHING:
And King-Earl said to me (staring lovingly at a paper filled with pictures of all sort of animals he drew, he picked up a black pen and started painting one of the animals):
“Do you like my beautiful goat?”
“Yes, I do! ‘Your beautiful Black goat’, you mean?”
“Yes, my beautiful black goat”, he replies as he makes his downward strokes within the borders of the animal.
Going back to the face, he paints vigorously at a section and says,
“Daddy has a moustache. So I’m painting the Goustache on my goat’s face”.
Satisfied, he stopped painting and pointed out the beard on the chin of the goat which he called “Goustache” repeatedly.
Aren’t you glad I’m back?
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
Categories
#TuesdayThoughts – Loss
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
Categories
Goodnight this Morning
I’m grateful that I’m awake
And facing my day with all it takes
Plans have been laid out for today’s remembrance
Trying my best to ensure its rid of encumbrances
She needs a happy-me to relate with her
So she is reminded less of the pains the day proffers
Amidst the calls and talk,
…I promised her a big hug!
In my attempts to console,
I must have pricked her soul
For she hurriedly said ‘goodbye,
I’ll see you later on, I’m fine.’My phone rings and I’m wondering what’s up?
Maybe it’s a ‘yab’ or news of a new life begun
He says to me ‘Where are you?’
‘In the office,’ I replied. ‘How are you?’
‘Mom’s dead,’ he dropped the news
‘How, when, why’ I asked, feeling confused
We just celebrated her birthday
And I wished her more years to stay
How was I going to know that God had other plans…?
And that didn’t include another day on these lands.
‘Who will tell my parents, I asked him?’
‘That’s why I told you’ and he sighed.
Auntie Gracie, full of grace and beauty
I remember your care and love whenever we came by
Your laughter and the glow which you exuded
Your warmth I’m sure made Jos worth staying…
For those of us that don’t like cold climes
I’ll try not to question God
But I’m sure He’s read the questions already
Has He given me an answer?
Perhaps…
As I listened to my friend read a tribute that night
One she wrote to her late husband who passed on last year
As she mentioned the two things that had kept her
And one of them was GRACE!
I knew God had given me my answers.
I will miss you a lot and I haven’t spoken to Mummy yet. I’m wondering what is running through her mind right now. Yes, I spoke to Dad this morning and he sounded very sad as he told me about you. They will miss you so much and your friendship. Thank you for those words 3 years ago, about how you took a step in faith against the doctor’s report and how, many years later you are still enjoying that faith walk. I’m doing same now and I believe God!
Yesterday was birthday to some of my friends, a year remembrance of my friend’s hubby and now I remember it as the day you said Goodnight in the Morning.
* Celebrating Auntie who went to rest yesterday
© 2015. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved
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