Missing Mum and Dad…

The scents of the past, bring back memories untold

They seem to come unexpectedly, as we’re getting old.

While trimming the grape vine, seeing the leaves fresh and green,

I think of the silk worms, and the thrill they have been

And the fleshy pink grapes, my Dad used to grow

Still grow on our vines, I miss my Dad so.

Then as I prune the roses, I think of him too,

“Now cut five leaves down, then they’ll shoot anew.”

I’m sure he is standing there, guiding me on

We had a Dad we all loved, and depended upon.

The scent of the apples, picked fresh from the tree

Bring thoughts of nostalgia that tantalize me.

My Grandma’s orchard, sloping right down the hill

All the fruit that we ate, were just sheer delight

Though we paid with a tummy ache, always at night.

My Grandma was a marvel, when at sixty years old

She’d climb up the ladder, she wouldn’t be told

Pick her own fruit for market, pack it ready to go,

How she got through it all, I really don’t know.

Then the wonderful smell of roast beef, almost done,

We had dinner so late, she’d start cooking at one.

By the time it was ready, we were simply famished

It took five minutes flat, until all had vanished.

We’re now at our Aunties, where we’d go every year

When holidays came around, we were full of good cheer

The scent of the passion fruit, mixed with the fizzy

How fantastic that was, just the thought makes me dizzy.

Climbing the tank stand, was a special pleasure,

The mud pies we’d make, in our hours of leisure.

We’d leave them to set, till our holidays next year.

I remember my cousin, he threw a long spear

A blackboy spike, that went straight up my nose

That brute of a boy, I wet him with the hose.

We’d buy Nestles chocolates, they were a big treat

We’d nibble on them, they seemed too good to eat.

They’d last all the holidays, if we ate them with ease

In the cooler they’d go, we used to fight over these.

But fighting’s a pleasure, when you are a kid.

Sunshine milk tins, we’d put holes in, throw away the lid

Thread string through the holes, we would feel ten feet high

We’d parade on our stilts, nearly reaching the sky.

Then we’d climb up the gum tree, outside the back door

This was our concert hall, crowds were clapping for more.

The spinning wheel in the parlour, sure brought the house down,

We felt like the Queen, we were wearing her crown.

The little brown road, then Mother McRee

We drove people crazy, as we sang from our tree.

My mother, my darling, we all loved you so,

How much love you gave us, “You were special, you know.”

If we could just see you, even just for a day

What a time we would have, in our special way.

I’d have so much, to tell you, mother dear,

But I think you know all, I feel you are near.

Now my childhood has gone, but the memories still stay

Of the wonderful world, that it was yesterday.

I think the older we get, we seem younger inside

It seems like our emotions, we don’t have to hide.

So if you love someone dearly, take hold of their hand

And walk by their side, till the Promised Land.