Stories

Drumhaw Time Capsule

This box was made during the long lock down months. We made it as the moon waxed high in the sky and silence fell like soft rain.

We made it while watching the world through glass windows.

We made it when doors were shut and the doorbell ceased to ring. But still, in spite of it all, we worked to shape and mould this box -

Our Drumhaw time capsule.

I will put in the box my mum’s gold ring a letter from my mother, her voice echoing through the years my best friend’s brooch- given to me when we were still girls a coral from the Indian ocean a blood stain on a wall the smell of moth balls a song sung by Carol.

Iwill put in the box a funeral suit the taste of salad cake and roasted rabbit my sister’s voice, her smile the tongue and grooved ceiling of my home my granny’s handmade jerkin her jams and the way she made bread my son’s first fair curls, he is bald now.

I will put in the box the song You Look wonderful tonight the first time I danced with you my white jump suit and red stiletto shoes my 17 inch waist the nine months spent with my mother cards and letters photos and phone calls a sea conch, bought from a street trader in Orlando. I will put in the box the laughter of friends long gone tears, loneliness and the strength to go on ruby stones and my mum’s last breath a cruise when summer went on forever a day’s work in the bog an old bathing suit that smells of the sea a photo of mum and myself, taken when I was a baby.

I will put in the box this very moment the time we all had breakfast together and wandered through the gardens half forgotten memories, stirred and awakened, now warm with love.

Our box is strong, made from old bog oak with shooting stars on the lid and love in the corners its hinges are made from coral stone and conch shells for handles on the sides we have written our dreams in the layers of oak…feel free…to read our stories, our hopes our dreams of the past and dreams for the future read our memories caught between heartbeats… read of our Brilliant Resilience during this, the hardest of times.

Enniscrone

As the tide came in and I waded out the old pair waited for me the evening sun had long gone down in Enniscrone by the sea. They were late in years, but young in heart while they waited there for me I spent not long away from them as I lingered in the sea. The foam rushed in and loudly sang it was time for home and tea the old pair quietly waited on just watching patiently for me. The mountains in the distance stretched far across the sea the clouds were closing darkly down just waving bye to me. The strand was growing idle with children running free I knew the time had come to leave as the old pair lovingly waited for me. Then I turned and sadly thought as I looked across the sea this could be my last and treasured chance for precious time just the old pair and me. I threaded sand between my toes with hastened step and joyful glee because I knew, without a doubt they would be waiting there for me. There they were, outside the door as happy as ones can be and there I was, my heart so glad just the old pair and me.

Jean Mc Quade

I Don’t Want

I don’t want to get on another plane I don’t want to ever fly again give me Stena line, slow and mundane. I don’t want to queue at a security gate shuffled along, scared that I am late I don’t want to pack a case, wondering if it’s overweight then cram it into an overhead space. I don’t want to live to ninety four, feeling guilty for the ozone layer with all the trips I took to Spain. I will just stay and enjoy the rain. I don’t want to watch teary loved ones waving goodbye blowing kisses, wishing you’d stay. I don’t want to drink bad coffee on a train sitting next to someone who may be insane I just want to be at home, slippers on and reading poems familiar smells and warm open faces. But I do want to see you again! Geraldine Millar

I Have Great Grandchildren

I have great grandchildren in Australia. I see them on the computer. I see them through the screen and I would love to hold them. Maybe someday they will come back here again I really hope they do.

Betty Morrow

I Wonder Why

Did life need to be so challenging? Did I have to learn so many lessons? Did I really have to start to learn as young as three? Would I change? Am I a fully-fledged adult now? Am I too old to start again? Am I enjoying the new me? Do I enjoy my own strength and resilience? How do I choose? Am I fully awakened? Am I spiritual? Is there an end to fun? Can I have as much as I want? Did I ask for it? Have I the patience to wait until it arrives?

Eileen Maguire

Tell Me Why

Why do some people do nothing? Is it true there’s no Santa Clause? Are we there yet? Who do you think I am? Que Sera Sera? Why is my second toe longer than my big toe? Am I the Boss? Can cows talk to each other? Why do bad things happen? Why not? What makes the world go around? Where does the river run to? How do stars stay up in the sky?

Brenda Whitley