Rita

On Monday we said our final goodbyes to Tom’s mum, Rita, who died at the end of January after what had been a very distressing four months.  I wrote this poem to banish some of the most painful images and to remember my mother-in-law instead in snapshot moments when she had seemed so full of life.  I showed the poem to Tom who asked for it to be printed on the Order of Service for Rita’s funeral, but was asked by Ken, my father-in-law, to read it instead.  Rita, it was my great privilege to do this one last thing for you. 

Release

Be carefree.  A child again.

A Devon maid, plucked from London,

dabbling bare feet in the dappled Dart.

Be glad at heart.  A bride beside

a steadfast groom.  A marriage spanning

sixty years, paper to diamond.

Be supple and strong.  A champion,

a huntress in white, your name

glowing gold in the Sussex sun.

All pain is gone.  There is nothing

to fear. Be a breath in the wind.

Be the warmth in the air. 

Be at peace now.

© Christine Stovell

The photograph above is a lovely moment captured by photographer Alexa Loy at Rose and Si’s wedding.