ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD
Perhaps, you too will relive
The magic of long-forgotten memories -
If your curiosity impels you to read on!
There are certain chores in life
Which are assigned to "The Tomorrow Catalogue."
Tomorrow came, unexpectedly, last week.
Moving, discarding, vacuuming, dusting, all complete,
Just the final bag to be checked.
A sneak preview revealed another container
Packed with cards, photos, letters
And even a couple of small, tissue-wrapped packages.
It is never in my remit to resist further investigation!
For the next three hours, I was transported.
Neither my sister, my brother nor I existed,
Just a folded, faded Irish Marriage Certificate.
My heart swelled with pride and love;
I smiled, laughed and cried
As I explored the trove of cherished memorabilia -
Too many to be listed here,
But some irresistibly movingly relevant.
A tattered Primary School Report
Which my lovely brother had amended,
By adding an obviously childlike "V"
In front of all the "Satisfactory" comments.
Touching messages of sympathy on the death
Of my beautiful, fifteen year old sister
Who had just started work in the millinery department
Of the prestigious Bon Marche.
Well over one hundred postcards to my parents
Recording the delight of holidays across a Europe
Which has changed, in many cases, so unbelievably.
No Mothers' Day cards then,
Just an immaculately written letter,
When I, as a ten year old,
Promised to offer “To My Dear Mother,
My Sunday Mass and Holy Communion.”
So much to be recorded in this poem,
But Time and space do matter.
And, after all, small, curious packages
And collections of mysterious photos and letters
May well become a source of future verse!
Just a fleeting thought.
You might regard housework as a chore -
But, surprisingly, it can be pleasantly inspirational!
Eileen Murray © July 2023
