I just had a really good rant. I won’t be publishing it, but it has cleared my head. It was all about people whining that they want “justice” and “answers” about the death of their loved ones in Care Homes. I have news for them – there is no justice, there is just stuff that happens. There are no answers, just opinions. And most of all, there is no point dwelling in the past. Yes, you can learn from past mistakes, but once it gets past a certain point the 80:20 rule cuts in, and you spend a lot pf time going nowhere.
Instead of appearing on TV demanding “justice” or “answers” in relation to the death of my father I will post a haibun today. It was first published in the April 2021 issue of The Haibun Journal.
In John Clare’s Footsteps
a grass cup
five speckled eggs
— my fathers’ hands
Despite social distancing rules, one of my cousins helps me adjust my tie in the crematorium car park. He says that he only wears ties at funerals. It’s the same for me. Dad’s generation, on the other hand, didn’t think they were properly dressed without a tie. We weren’t allowed to see him at the funeral home because of the covid restrictions, but I think of him wearing the grey silk tie my sister provided.
As we wait, I look over the ranks of rose bushes to the fields beyond. The scent drifts on the breeze. John Clare, the Peasant Poet, was born and lived a few miles from here before his descent to the asylum. Our family walks used to take us through these fields, where skylarks scattered us with song. I can only see one today as it rises to the clouds, but, in the manner of the modern larks, it does not seem to sing.
silent in the clouds
— a dark spot
ascending
Somehow I missed this when it first posted. It’s a lovely thoughtful reaction to pretty bad times. And the poems are wonderful.
Thank you. The postal address of the Peterborough crematorium is actually Helpston, which is the viallage Clare was born in. As kids we walked the same fields as the poet.
These are beautiful poems, Quercus, especially the one for your father.
Thank you Lavinia.
This superb piece is the best response
Thank you Derrick. I found this link while browsing the internet and thought about you – https://londonist.com/london/secret/ghost-signs-book-sam-roberts
Thanks very much for this fascinating link.
I was thinking f the signs in Nottingham – most of the ones that were here when we moved in are now badly faded – they must use better paint in London. 🙂
🙂
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I’m sorry this makes my blood boil. Every life matters. Well it should.
Yes, every life matters. But I think the best way to deal with it is to move on, not waste effort looking for things that we will never get.
Exactly right. Live life and let the rest sort itself out.
Lovely piece about your father. But I don’t think people are ‘whining’ if they want justice and answers. In my opinion, there needs to be some serious debate with regard to what happened in these places in recent times.
I have no problem with a serious debate but that isn’t what I saw tonight on the news.
I might need some guidance on how to rant. I wouldn’t want to be accused of whining.
I can see how the present situation might be quite annoying for you.