In the mornings we would bake.
Scones,
crust pastry
fairy cakes.
You’d whip round those edges,
make them trim
and leave the bits
for leaves and berries
from tiny fingertips.
Chairs pushed against worktops
one on either side,
you showed us how to do
this and that.
…
In the afternoons we shared apples.
Jo and I sat together
and you
with that single strand peel
turning always turning
until it coiled around my childhood
and tugged out an adult
who will always miss you,
pastries
and apples.
Julia ‘Ba’ Farr – 2 April 1915 – 17 November 2015
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
What a wonderful portrait of one you care about and miss.
So many exquisite details such as the single strand peeler, etc.
I see by the photo and dates that today is the day she passed,
so I know that the missing is very fresh. My condolences…
and thanks for sharing your memories on this very difficult day.
Such a gorgeous write 🙂
Amazing that you are able to write in the face of such immediate loss–but in my experience, poetry, or any art form for that matter, is a step on the way to healing. Thank you for being her. BTW, the focus on her cooking/food works so well.
So sorry for your loss, a beautiful tribute.
Such beautiful memories…in the photo, her face shines with light…..how lovely that you have such a one to remember.
So very sorry for your loss, Carol, just today. What treasured memories you have of her teaching you her baking skills. There’s something very special about preparing food with a loved one.
There is so much love in this, and truth that connects with my own childhood memories of standing on the kitchen chair learning from my grandmother how to knead kolache dough. I love the image of coming out of childhood “an adult who will always miss you.”
Oh. Such a moment to share.. Such immediate loss. The image of the orange peel is a wonderful one.
I am so sorry for your loss, for this immediate loss. What a beautiful lady! How well she taught you and how you are so blessed. I shed some tears but smile back at that lovely picture and bless her.
Smile of Love..
Universal message
of force across
the ages..
the light
of eyes
that shine
through her
never ages
a 100 years..
Love Lives on
and on in i’s
EyEs of Love..:)
So sorry for your loss. She looks and sounds like a wonderful grandmother. The contrast between the concentrated baking and the very vivid image of the single apple peel coiling around your childhood, keeping you safe and warm and well-fed… there’s something of Seamus Heaney in this, and something uniquely your own. Very beautiful.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman. (I know I never met her, so how can I say she was wonderful? You told me so in a way I truly believe.) Peace, Linda
Thank you Linda.
I could feel and smell this poem like I was in your kitchen. Lovely tribute
Thank you.
Such beautiful memories. Her eyes radiate kindness and wisdom..I’m so sorry for the loss of such a dear woman in your life. I can tell how much you love her ❤