Thursday 31 December 2015

Goodbye Cragmoor Road


On Clearing Out Human Granny's House

Us dogs can always sense when something is amiss.

Our noses can detect
Change in the air, the end of things, and sadness.

A lifetime of cupboards, emptied, yield
Pile upon pile of holiday leaflets; medicines galore;
A Nottingham lace tablecloth,
Still faintly stained with raspberry jam;
Notes from every evening class ever attended,
(And there were many).

Did Human Grandad once throw away
An item he could mend?
I doubt it.
No saucepan handle in this house
Escaped his meticulous application of araldite.
Was ever a rusty bolt discarded
When it could be stored in a Gold Block tobacco tin
For future use?

Who uses now
A 'best' china tea set (non-dishwasher proof)?
What to do with table linen - napkins, cloths, mats -
Lace or embroidered, stiffly starched,
Untouched for half a century?

*****

A sudden moment of delight.
A wad of letters, unknown, unsuspected,
Found in an old folder.
Close-typed on tissue thin airmail paper,
Stamped RAF, Egypt, 1945,
From a fond father
To the teenager who became Human Granny.

*****

But why will the charity shop not take
The painted furniture?
Can it really be so dangerous?
Surely some poor soul would be glad of it?
I lick Gail's hand to compensate
For tears shed, as Human Uncle
Builds a funeral pyre of tables, desks, chairs,
Unwanted but for the memories.

Us dogs can always sense when something is amiss.

20 comments:

  1. Sad indeed you two. But what great memories that house has held for you all over the years. And what a find, those RAF letters are! Happy New Year to you both.

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  2. Bittersweet memories. Did you choose a keepsake? Blessings, Marley.

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  3. DEAR BERTIE AND GAIL
    You have been in my thoughts and prayers during this trying time. I sure know how you feel...you can't save everything nor do you have the space at your home..but I'm sure you 2nd guessed every single decision to made to keep or discard. Letting your childhood home go was kind of like a death in the family. I
    can say with certainty the feeling will pass with time. The good thing about this process is the memories you found and a new understanding of the life cycle and how we have to change with it. Blessings and hugs and kitty kisses
    Madi and mom

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  4. Bertie my tears run over my fur while reading... there are so much memories in every room and it hurts a little to remember all that things... hugs to you and your mom and your granny...

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  5. Hari OM
    Bertie lad, that is beautifully word-spun. Blessings to you and Gail for Hogmanay; may it be quietly joyous in the remembrances raised. Here's to 2016. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  6. Beautifully said Bertie. We know this was a difficult time. May the memories live in your heart forever. Hugs. Happy New Year!

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  7. Hugs to you, what a difficult task.

    Edgar and his mum

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  8. How sad. In our new, "sanitized" world, where painted furniture and non-diswashables are either obsolete or simply thrown away, reminders of another time are (and their lessons) are "best" forgotten.

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  9. My heart hurts just reading this ...having been there several times myself: Grandmother, Mom, Dad, Mother-in-law. It makes my husband and I wonder with our own possessions how our kids will feel as they ponder them upon our demise. Gail, sending you my best wishes as you help your mom throough this transition, Thank God she has recovered and is sharing smiles with you and Bertie. Joan

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  10. Oh, Bertie I'm so sad for the empty house...but glad there are so many memories. Lots of hugs to you and your family.
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, Furiend

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  11. Dearest Bertie and Miss Gail,
    We are SAD fur you, yet there is a bit of Light at the end of that tunnel... the MEMORIES... OH those Delicious and Beautiful Memories... OLD things to spark NEW CONVERSATIONS....

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  12. Our mom cleaned out her pawrent's home and she said it is a very difficult thing to do and is life changing. Stay close to Gail and hug her!Happy New Year!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  13. A funeral pyre for your past. Door closed, on to the present. A post we've all lived, but not documented so beautifully. Sending hugs across the pond...

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  14. We are glad Gail has you close by. Make sure you give her some extra snuggles!!
    Happy New Year Hugs!!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  15. Oh, Gail. I'm sending so much love. Such an enormous change. And Tootsie is sending fur love to Bertie. Lots and lots of love from all of us. xo Renee

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  16. Bertie - We so understand. When Angus last did it he left the family silver under the bed. It was never seen again.

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  17. Oh Bertie, sad indeed. We are doing the same with Paul's parent's house. So many things, spoon collection, bell collection, china, fancy glassware. 90 years of memories.

    You are a good dog for helping Gail :)

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  18. Oh Bertie ... I feel for you, mate and Gail too. Mum went through the same thing when my Nan went to the nursing home and now she's had to do it all again at the nursing home. I helped this time. It's just too, too, tough. Mum too found a pile of letters and will treasure them for the rest of her life. Hugs!!!!

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  19. This is soooooo beautiful:-)

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