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The Eyes Of Pride – by Susie Hemingway
Brown they are you know,
big and shiny like Autumn conkers
fringed and dark charcoal smudges
emitting beams like fireflies,
seeing all but telling no one,
meditative powerful authority
once of lushness,
the eyes that could bewitch a maiden
now a little faded perhaps rheumy
one might say, yet could in a blink
seduce and tempt to lead astray…
the eyes that tell the story
the eyes that show their pride,
watchful ebony pigments that
twinkle indiscreetly like
magnificent coal diamonds,
templates of sadness
still, such infinite eyes of pride.
Hamada Makes It! – As Sure As….
As readers to this blog already know I chronicle here, a continuous register of updates and poems telling of Hamada’s journey with the difficult disease of Multiple Myeloma. A most complex illness to treat and stage, with at the moment, no known cure. Still for many people it can be managed well if diagnosed early. Hamada was diagnosed when the Myeloma had attacked his kidneys and was in eighty percent of his blood-steam. So you will understand his courageous battle with this disease.
Hamada was very keen that I record his progress or lack of, during this journey to perhaps help others. So you will appreciate that my poems must be and are, from my true feelings and watchfulness as the days go by. Hamada is currently out of remission but is not undergoing any Chemotherapy treatment at the moment,with only maintenance drugs prescribed, in the hope that he will become a little stronger to try again any remaining chemotherapy drugs. that he has not tried before.
So it was with great delight this weekend that although very weak and sleeping for best part of everyday, he managed to courageously find enough energy to join in Son Matt’s 40th birthday evening celebration, at a very nice local Inn for a splendid family meal together. He had so desired to be there, was determined beyond all measure to make it… so ‘As Sure As’ with a little help from family members, Hamada made it to the Blue Bell Inn. He enjoyed so much this very important celebration although not moving much at all the following day and resting continuously since. Well done Hamada, I know what it took to manage this and I am so very proud of you Habibi.
As Sure As – A Lament by Susie Hemingway.
As sure as the sun rises
in the East everyday
as sure as your smile
lights-up the room where you lay
as sure as this calamity
life robs in this way,
as sure as my anger
snags through this pain,
as sure as the worried looks,
painted on the faces of friends
I see, there will be no gain.
As sure as the rippling tide
ebbs again to flow,
as perpetual stride comes
in the darkness I know,
as soft light fading
to soothe for a while,
how pointless this shattered glass
I hold in my hand…
for as sure as faded petals fall
from the ‘roses’ on your face,
as sure as your dark eyes
keep looking for me,
I’ll breathe and breathe again
so you will never see…
As sure as the gibberish words that I write
as sure as day, comes after night
as sure as this ache that grips at my heart.
As sure as….
All Rights Reserved @ June 2009
Photo: Courtesy of Matt Rutherford.
"I Dreamt" – For Matt and Jo
I dreamt of having boys you know
a thousand years ago,
tall strong bright eyed boys,
who’d make me laugh as I grew old,
good honest loving boys
with values and a ‘Joie de Vivre’
two boys would be just right I thought
to stand with me in times of strife,
that they would be – seamless friends,
I could not ask for more.
I dreamt I would ignite their courage
infuse – to follow all their passions
and watchful for eternity I saw,
their dreams painted on perfect smiles
as brushstrokes make a painting,
and a sapling makes a tree…
a thousand years ago
my boys did come to me,
I dreamt of having boys you know
a thousand years ago…
sometimes dreams snap and break
but sometimes dreams come true.
In Honour Of Matt’s 40th Birthday. June 2009
All Rights Reserved @ June 2009
Finding Something That Chills!
Hamada continues much the same, sleeping his way through most days, bless him. He is trying to conserve/find some energy for a forthcoming special event. Son Matt’s
40TH Birthday, when the whole family will be here for a long weekend. We hope to make this a very special occasion and so we need Hamada, if he can of course, to be able to join us – at a very special place, for the evening celebrations. So fingers crossed for that.
I have recently been playing the new CD of Melody Gardot, this music of the ‘sleepy Jazz type’ that Hamada and I love, it seems to have such a relaxing effect on us both, we imagine dancing together as we did just a few years ago – see my poem “We Dance Again” below.
If you would like something to take your mind of ‘horrid things’ and I know many readers here do. Try the lovely sound of Melody Gardot and her new CD “My One And Only Thrill” Listen to the enchanting “Our Love Is Easy” and the sensual track of the named album, “My One and Only Thrill” and the very delicious “Deep Within The Corners of My Mind” – I so wished I had written that! The wonderful orchestral backing which is quite perfect runs through these tracks, so if you are stressed and worried, this is indeed, very ‘good medicine’ as it takes you easily on a much needed journey…
Love Smiles – By Susie Hemingway
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Although you’re down and feeling blue
a little bit dreamy not wanting to
talk or read, I understand,
just love smiles will do…
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I’ll wrap you soft as feather down,
and feed you from a silver spoon,
bewitch you with procured delights
just return those love smiles tonight.
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I’ll fill the room with bergamot
and camouflage your pain,
find the crystal glasses
and then I’ll pour champagne,
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unstring my heart like oyster’s pearls
enthral at just one glance,
if you can muster just for me
a ‘love smile’ when I glance.
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I’ll soften all those noisy vowels
when cooing gentle mantra,
and even toast some butter crumpets
or pick a Shakespeare rose…
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and as the peace from pain
like absolution comes,
as when the scent pungent and loved
reaches to your nose,
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smile for me beloved one
those ‘love smiles’ that I know…
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All Rights Reserved @ May 2009
Susie’s BBC Radio Interview with Judy Theobald
You can hear Susie reading on the third anniversary of Hamada’s Diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma “I Write for You” and also the full BBC radio interview on the Judy Turnbald Morning Show on, http://susiehemingway.com
Under the Categorie – Site News
~ My wonderful congratulation flowers shown above ~
The morning show with Judy Theobald
I was lucky enough to be invited onto BBC Radio Lincolnshire to be interviewed about my poetry by Judy Theobald, we spent a great 15 minutes chatting about my website and all the things that inspire me.
You can listen to our chat by just clicking here :Â interview.mp3
Or over on the BBC iPlayer site here – I’m about 35 minutes into the programme ( you may need to install real player to make that work – but I’ve had the interview edited for the link above).
Cairo – by Susie Hemingway
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Oh Cairo of the sepia light
empurple in the late of night,
the sparkling rays on marble stones
the quickest steps and gleaming domes.
The narrow streets and alleyways
the different smells the different ways
the hookah pipes, the mint tea trays,
Oh Cairo and your faded ways.
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The empyrean of mosaic mosques
The many souks and little shops
the hot and dusty lives we lived
the little child with flower to give.
Street cafe’s where everyday
we sat and watched,
in wondrous gaze
Oh Cairo, I remember all those days
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The perfume shop where we paid
to smell like ‘Chloe’ in a way!
the special time with special friends,
we thought that is would never end.
Halcyon days spent with you
enticing splendour of garnet hue
twinkling stars in darkest night
Oh Cairo of the sepia light.
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The dark robed men
with beads and dice,
delicious honey with special spice,
the bright and silky lengths of cloth,
tahina, lentils in a a pot .
Can you recall that magic place?
for I can see your handsome face
Oh Cairo of the sepia light.
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All Rights Reserved @ 2007
Up-Date
Hamada continues comfortably, still sleeping for about sixteen hours per day. He enjoys all his meals and eats remarkably well. For some time I have been looking at the benefits of ‘Curcumin’ and the very encouraging documentation regarding this supplement for sufferers of many ailments, in particular Multiple Myeloma. Of course it is always a difficult choice to make when deciding to try any addition to the already large amount of maintenance drugs taken daily and the advise of consultant must always be taken into consideration. For many, these extra supplements do seem to help and we were very thoughtful and a little excited about something that could potentially help Hamada. The biggest concern was of course his ailing Kidneys, although much better than at diagnosis, are still a cause for concern. Also the greatest factor, his extremely low Platelet counts (44).
So today when receiving information from the Scientific Panel of a leading distributor of Curcumin here in the UK, confirming that this supplement does indeed have an anti platelet effect and the potential for exacerbation of low platelets,we have decided not to pursue Curcumin further.