Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Thursday 8 May 2014

Love and loss

 She happened upon a tiny book,
from the Lovers Library series ...
It contains one of her favourite poems ...

If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only.  Do not say,
"I love her for her smile ... her look ... her way
Of speaking gently, ... for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day" -
For these things in themselves, Beloved, may
Be changed, or change for thee, - and love so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's, wiping my cheeks dry,
Since one might well forget to weep who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby.
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou mayest love on through love's eternity.
 
Given to Tommy by Florry,
Dec 6th 1901.


Sometimes though, 
she wishes that there was no such emotion as love.
So that when a loved one departs this world, 
it would not be so hard to bear.

Just over a week ago they lost a dear family friend.  
A strong and clever man with a twinkling eye.
A man they respected,
their adopted patriarch.

He lived a long life, 
but the loss of dignity that made him cry,
was a cruel blow at his life's end.
The insufferable pain so hard to witness.
They miss him.

x


20 comments:

thriftwood said...

A very beautiful tribute xxxx

Willow said...

Of course this moved me and sent my thoughts wondering in a multitude of directions.

Things and Thoughts said...

Very touching dear friend!I'm sorry I have no words, I know very well how it is...

Red Rose Alley said...

What a special book this is. I love old vintage books. It's so hard to lose a loved one. Your writing on here is so pretty today.

Thinking of you.

love,
~Sheri

The Custards said...

Oh - I have this book too, though because I have had over 30 years the cover has nearly dropped off!
Best wishes
Jenny

Anne said...

How lovely. I gave my husband Tony a book of World war one poems for Valentines day and inscribed it. I wonder if someone will pick it up in 100 years and wonder who Anne and Tony were?

nilly said...

Such a beautiful poem and lovely book. It also makes me think we should go back to the habit of inscribing books we give to loved ones.
By the way, are you sure it doesn't say "Tommy from Harry." ?

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

BOTH poems here, so poignant, eloquent and so true. Oh how poetry makes my heart race with JOY! Well done my friend, and love is painful.

Jen said...

I'm sorry--I know how hard that is.

Such a beautiful edition of the book, and lovely tribute to your friend.

homemade@myplace said...

A big and warm hug, xxxxxxxxxxx Ale

Maria said...

A beautiful poem ( I've read and re read) and a beautiful tribute to you're special friend..Take care, lovely you!!
hugs Maria x

Stephanie Gau t said...

That is a truly moving post. Lovely poems - and a beautiful little book too.

The Dainty Dolls House said...

This is so very special...what a wonderful tribute, this book is simply beautiful xoxo

Amy at love made my home said...

Thinking of you, sending love, and admiring a wonderful tribute. xx

Leanne said...

Sometimes though,
she wishes that there was no such emotion as love.
So that when a loved one departs this world,
it would not be so hard to bear.


poignant words for me today, as I lost a beloved pet yesterday. The love, and the loss is not diminished because he was an animal, grief is hard whatevewr the loss

Leanne x

the woolly dog said...

A beautiful way to remember someone loved.

JJ said...

Poetry is important for writers. It demonstrates how much can be said with so few words.

Barbara said...

Hello Marina, such a beautiful book and poem and a wonderful tribute to your friend.
Thinking of you. xx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Hello there Marina, thank you for coming by to comment and such a kind comment at that...kindness is all I want. Oh how the world needs more of it!

Kristie said...

What a beautiful poem and I'm so very sorry for the loss of your dear departed friend. Sometimes love can be cruel when it takes someone from us who we love. But, it is the circle of life. I only wish that when death comes knocking at anyone's door it is a quick and painless death. I've read that you die the way you lived... but I'm not real sure about that!

So sorry!