LUPUS IN FLIGHT: A Walk In The Snow

Sunday, 12 February 2012

A Walk In The Snow

for Joanna Haybittle

I walk in the snow
with the green grass

just beginning to show

I am calmed
and grow fearless
with each step

Gathering nothingness
listening to emptiness
fill herself

with birdsong
        and the crunch of ice
        and the sense of cold
        finally, taking me
by surprise.

© Shaista Tayabali, 2012
Joanna was the second daughter of my beloved friend Mary Haybittle, and her funeral takes place today. Can only pray for it to be a peaceful, blessed sort of day with the angels singing and listening in wait.

13 comments:

Sherry Blue Sky said...: How lovely. I felt the calm as I walked with you through your words.; 12 February 2012 at 17:17
ds said...: So lovely. Walking is just like that--"gathering nothingness/listening to emptiness/fill herself"--and we grow stronger and gain hope. Thank you.; 12 February 2012 at 20:13
Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...: Lovely words and lovely photos...gentle affirmations for a winter's afternoon. Peace, Mary helen Fernandez stewart; 12 February 2012 at 22:40
Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene) said...: I felt a 'oneness' in the nothingness. Gracias!; 13 February 2012 at 16:46
Amélie said...: Wonderful snow poem. I feel like I'm walking with you. So calm...; 14 February 2012 at 22:11
Shaista said...: My snow poem is dedicated to Joanna Haybittle who lost her fight with cancer last week. Her mother Mary Haybittle is my dearest friend, my soul sister and mentor.; 16 February 2012 at 02:37
Jeanne-ming Brantingham said...: Shi,
So sorry. What a heartbreak.
Ming; 18 February 2012 at 17:19
Sara said...: May she rest in peace..; 21 February 2012 at 10:35
Lisa said...: I am saddened and sorry for your loss.; 25 February 2012 at 00:50
Garden girl Meryl said...: The poem is beautiful, I only heard of Joanna's sad death 2 days ago, She and her family were my best friends as I was growing up next door, we spent many hours together. We didn't keep in contact in adutlhood except via her parents who I still see occasionally, a real happiness from my past has gone.; 5 March 2012 at 11:59
hyperCRYPTICal said...: The poem is beautiful and a fine tribute to your friend.

Anna :o]; 16 March 2012 at 09:41
Unknown said...: I love your poem.

Joanna was actually my english tutor during my high school years. I miss her dearly.

I was at university when Roy told me of her death. Her and Roy became more than just my tutors, they became close friends.; 18 January 2016 at 19:40
Shaista said...: Dear Peggy,this has been a wonderful surprise hearing from you. I've just rung Joanna's mum Mary to tell her of your email. She was so surprised and pleased. I hope I hear from you again. Do write and let me know more of your memories of Joanna.
Thanks for writing, Shaista; 19 January 2016 at 15:48