Friday 27 July 2012

HARRIET

ROMANTIC FRIDAY WRITERS
CHALLENGE NO 41



It's not always easy to say how you feel, so sometimes it's a good- or really very bad idea- to write it down. What has happened in the past to lead you to this point - pen poised, hovering over notepaper? Maybe you communicate better on paper than face to face...maybe you should have acted differently...but should you be sitting here writing it all down...should you be jumping in the car, heading off to see him/her face to face, sort things out? Your call, your story - just make sure there are Three Things You Could Have Done Better.
HARRIET

Harriet slowly opened her brown rheumy eyes
As they came into focus she soon realised
The beautiful young girl with the shining brown hair
Was still sitting beside her in the pretty Lloyd loom chair

Sylvia smiled at her gran with love and moved to plump up her pillows
She smoothed the bedclothes and straightened the trenches and furrows
Harriet started to speak and Sylvia was hooked from her first sentence
I could have done better in my life but some things weigh heavily on my conscience

I should have told my best friend her beau was cheating on her
Then I would have had to admit he was a cad and a bounder
I broke it off as soon as I could and kept the secret until today
I couldn’t risk losing her affection when he tried to lead me astray

I picked up the pieces and kept in contact but I think she knew
The way she looked at me I thought she could see what was true
I’m glad I didn't spill the beans though as we stayed in touch all these years
We’ve had our share of happiness, joy and of course many, many tears.

She paused for breath as Sylvia poured her a refreshing cup of tea
From her favourite oriental china tea set kept on the table in the dinette
Aunt Gracie had a secret, you know, she lived in sin until her own kids were married
We never knew about his first wife until she died

For twenty five years religious doctrine had them living against the law
Then the surprise wedding invite dropped through everybody’s front door
If I’d been more persuasive more people would have come and celebrated
They had no problem until the truth came out and then they turned and hated

Sylvia’s eyes filled with tears as she thought of the prejudice and bigotry
That kept people apart or living in fear throughout the course of history
She took Harriet’s cup, saw she was getting weary; it didn't take much at 90
Don't fuss now.  I need to tell you one more thing Harriet said simply.

I married my darling Fred and couldn’t have done any better
Together we faced some tough times and braved stormy weather
Thirty years with him and thirty missing him in heaven
Now I’m ready to meet my handsome fireman again.




Word count: 400

13 comments:

  1. Dear Sally,

    I loved it,its so deep,thanks for sharing,im still working on mine :)

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  2. Did I feel the love? Yes I did. What a lovely depiction of a long marriage and the ups and downs behind the scenes.

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  3. This is excellent! So much history, so many secrets and so much life!

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  4. Intriguing story, romantic, regrets, and lasting love.

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  5. Ah Sally that was Pretty. What a story, wrapped up in sentiment and timelessness. I was captivated by Harriet's voice.

    ........dhole

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  6. Hi,

    A lovely cameo of grandmother and granddaughter painted with words, then grandmothers regrets conveyed affording glimpses into her past! Clever piece! :)

    best
    F

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  7. Love the way the story was told, Sally. So much in a few words. Romantic and moving too. You incorporated the prompt in a seamless way and that creativity made it such a powerful piece. Well done!

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  8. Dear Sally,
    Most grandmothers and granddaughters are close. There is always wisdom and advice to be shared and to learn from. I felt you brought home the point here my friend.

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  9. A beautiful presentation of a very touching story. You did well.


    Lee
    Wrote By Rote

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  10. Thank you Sally for penning this beautiful poem. Very moving and romantic, yet very realistic relationship between grandmother and grandaughter. Beautifully illustrated too! The images really enhance your poem.

    Sorry for being late in my comments. Very busy meeting a writing deadline. Just made it.

    Denise

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  11. Beautiful entry for the challenge. I was going to try it and then my day just got too hectic. I'll join in next time.

    By the way there is an award for you on my blog.
    http://imagine-today1.blogspot.com/

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  12. Dear Sally,
    Beautifully penned story/poem about an old woman's life as she looks back and tells her granddaughter.
    Thank you for visiting my post and asking about paper. I have written a longer comment in the comment box on my post. I have also rewritten this post ('Three things that could have done better') and deleted the regret about not having paper and pencil along. But that revised text is not available for reading until the next challenge after this one, 'I need a change'.
    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Three things I could have done better

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