over the years we looked through
the old photos at Mum
happy through the depression years
bushwalking through the mountain tracks
striding energetic in school uniform
and in frocks
snapped by street photographers
on Pitt Street
and in a white coat
striding down hospital corridors
whisking through the surgeries at home
sterilizing instruments
doing the doctor thing
imagining her in operating theatres
with a scalpel
saying
the human body is so fascinating
leaping on computers and writing
research with tables and graphs
writing and writing
papers, articles, books
she could see the big picture
bravely resisting attack after attack
laughing at the right wingers
seeming unaffected
even when they struck effective blows
always with an erect posture
not running but striding
carrying on regardless
Great portrait. Wonderful details; and in the last verse and particularly that final line, she comes fully to life.
ReplyDeletegood poem, Anna
ReplyDeletevivid picture
ReplyDeletevery strong yet very personal too
ReplyDeleteA great energy in this poem. Thank you Anna for this portrait.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing woman. Your poems also strides reflecting her energy.
ReplyDeleteyes, good one, that manner is your mum precisely, Anna. RIP.
ReplyDelete