I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

31 January 2015

Victory

They are all
dead, my husbands, so now I can choose.
Tonight for the Asian Cup
it's Bill I invite
to come watch.

As we did
a long time ago,
late nights with the kids in bed.
'How good is that goalie?' I say now —
then we score.

A tense game,
the Socceroos against Korea,
tied at the last minute
so now we're into
extra time.

It's almost
as good as that match
when underdog Sunderland
won the FA Cup ('73).
Nail-biting!

Like old times,
my soccer-loving second husband
sitting with me here tonight,
barracking with me.
Like old mates.

Countdown's on —
Queensland election —
right now I don't even care.
We get past that goalie one more time,
and we've won!


Note: My late second husband, Bill Nissen, migrated to Australia with his family at the age of 15, from Holland, where he was being groomed to be a goalkeeper for the national soccer team.  In Australia he followed Aussie Rules football but still liked watching the FA Cup on TV.

(This poem consists of a sequence of mirror-image Maudern cinquains, alternating reversed and normal.)

 I'm linking this to both dVerse OpenLinkNight and Poets United's Poetry Pantry #238, where you'll find lots of good poems by lots of good poets.
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75 comments:

  1. Susan1 February 2015 at 01:12

    I love this one, I love the companionship, the "barracking," the active memory of old times enhancing this day.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 20:26

      Thanks, Susan. 'Active memory' is a good way of putting it.

      Delete
  2. Ron Kleiman1 February 2015 at 01:57

    :-) the games we play and those we watch, nice!

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  3. Scarlet1 February 2015 at 11:36

    Enjoy the game and the companionship ~ I too like:

    barracking with me.
    Like old mates.

    Grace

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  4. Anonymous1 February 2015 at 11:39

    Victory ' They are all / dead, my husbands, so now I can choose.' heh-heh - love it.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 17:01

      And which I choose may depend on the activity or circumstances. (Smile.) Mostly I chat to Andrew, number 3, who hasn't been gone very long.

      Delete
  5. Victoria1 February 2015 at 11:55

    Nice blend of past and present and the ability to share the game with anyone of them or, I suppose, all of them.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 16:10

      Only Bill was interested in soccer. Don (number 1) followed Aussie rules, and Andrew wasn't much interested in footy of any kind. That's why, if I wanted someone to enjoy the game with, it had to be Bill.

      Delete
  6. Mary1 February 2015 at 12:20

    There is much to be said for sitting with an old friend!

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    1. Mary1 February 2015 at 14:55

      Oops...on reading more thoroughly, I GET it. Even better if the 'friend' is a former husband. Smiles.

      Delete
    2. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 17:01

      And if it's an activity enjoyed by both parties.

      Delete
  7. Truedessa1 February 2015 at 12:23

    Sounds like you can enjoy watching the games with whomever you choose..I like how you mixed up the forms to create the poem

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 16:18

      Well yes, but when it's a ghost I don't even have to feed them, lol.

      Delete
  8. Brian Miller1 February 2015 at 13:49

    smiles....def sounds like you had fun...and even had nice company as well to enjoy it with...dont let politics spoil it, for sure...

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 16:15

      The political result pleased me too, when I tuned in later. (Grin.)

      Delete
  9. Gabriella1 February 2015 at 14:55

    This is quite poignant, Rosemary! But you seem to have great memories. As an aside, I had no idea Aussies enjoyed soccer.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 16:07

      Some do. Most enjoy Aussie Rules in the southern States, rugby in the northern, although the different codes are now played in all States. Once, soccer was mainly played and watched by European migrants (my second husband was Dutch-born and taught me to appreciate it) but by now there is a much stronger interest among Aussies in general.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous1 February 2015 at 15:51

    Love the way you convey that the husbands are dead. Wonderful poem, Rosemary.

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  11. Rob Schackne1 February 2015 at 15:58

    So good. So true. I love it.
    (Biting our nails, we're all in extra time?)

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  12. Anonymous1 February 2015 at 16:42

    a woman who who savors the score is a treasure indeed :)

    These were all nicely done and insightful.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade1 February 2015 at 16:59

      Thank you. :) The scores were very, very close in this game.

      Delete
  13. brudberg1 February 2015 at 18:17

    There is so much care-free joy in this.. Enjoying the game with whoever you like. Nice work on the form.

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  14. Old Egg1 February 2015 at 19:30

    Being an Aussie myself it is like having a chat over the backyard fence.

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  15. scotthastiepoet1 February 2015 at 21:24

    A nicely original write Rosemary - I enjoyed the sentiments here.. With Best Wishes Scott

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  16. Claudia1 February 2015 at 21:56

    that sound like a cool evening with nice company as well and how the memories sneak in as well... beautiful

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  17. Jae Rose1 February 2015 at 22:58

    This gave me a real sense that despite our losses we are not alone..and we can still enjoy things we once did...very uplifting

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  18. totomai1 February 2015 at 23:42

    those moments are worth replaying in our minds. such a lovely testimonial to memories spent togethe

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  19. Magical Mystical Teacher1 February 2015 at 23:55

    It almost sounds as if you're laughing in the face of death---and why not?

    Pilgrims Awhirl

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:20

      Not exactly that, but close. See my reply to Peggy.

      Delete
  20. kelvin s.m.2 February 2015 at 00:44

    Precious! Everyone deserves to have the right companion. Enjoyed your lovely 'Maudern Ciquain!'..

    - ksm

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  21. Misky2 February 2015 at 00:55

    My husband and I support different teams. Interesting times. But in the end, he and I both win. :) Love this one, Rosemary.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:07

      But in an international match, you'd probably support the same country? Unless you come from different ones!

      Delete
  22. Vaccinius2 February 2015 at 03:03

    I wish I, when I stop fearing, will enjoy friends from the past, like that, too. :-)

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 20:58

      Or you could just have a little game of let's pretend. :)

      Delete
  23. Gillena Cox2 February 2015 at 03:05

    thanks for sharing such an interesting approach to memory and moment

    have a nice Sunday

    much love

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  24. Donna@LivingFromHappiness2 February 2015 at 03:14

    At first I thought...Oh my with some sadness, but oh that changed to an enthusiastic oh my what a wonderful match, what a wonderful conversation....such memories.

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  25. Unknown2 February 2015 at 06:28

    I love the humor and the irreverent reverence ( Yes! It exists!) you display. Fabulous perspective, Rosemary!

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:06

      Thank you. 'Irreverent reverence' is my typical attitude! (Thank you for giving me the terminology, lol.) Luckily, God and members of the spirit world understand perfectly.

      Delete
  26. Peggy2 February 2015 at 06:43

    I enjoyed reading this very much, the humor and fun especially. What a great attitude. I also liked the the form--always amazes me when someone can follow a form so smoothly.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:18

      Thank you. I like playing with form; don't get them all so smooth. I decided to adopt this attitude very recently, realising that things which trigger sorrow at someone being gone could also be used to bring them present, in a way.

      Delete
  27. Brother Ollie2 February 2015 at 06:44

    Hup Holland! Excellent piece.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:16

      *Grins.* But it was 'Up Australia' on this occasion.

      Delete
  28. Unknown2 February 2015 at 07:18

    It is nice being able to watch your favorite past time with someone familiar. I never was one for soccer, but I definitely admire the athleticism that those players have. So much running around. I get winded just watching them.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:10

      I am not sporty at all, and seldom watch anything of that nature. But this was such an important match, and I can admire the skill of soccer and follow the game, thanks to Bill teaching me (when he was alive and we were married).

      Delete
  29. Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik (PKP)2 February 2015 at 07:51

    Rosemary just wonderful blend of nostalgia and present day choice and mindfulness with more than a bit of fun - Terrific !

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  30. ruth2 February 2015 at 08:48

    I like this so much on so many levels, the forward & reverse & mirror-imaging of form well suits the mood of nostalgia, and the sudden startlement of seeing something of what the words themselves do not say. Wonderfully done.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:15

      Thank you. I'm so glad you appreciated it on all levels, and perceived the unsaid.

      Delete
  31. kaykuala2 February 2015 at 12:16

    Victory that's what everyone aspires for. No more just participation anymore. Great game Rosemary!

    Hank

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade2 February 2015 at 18:14

      Believe me, watching (and cheering them on) is the only way I would ever be participating in a soccer match, lol.

      Delete
  32. Suzy2 February 2015 at 19:22

    Such a nice way of remembering someone. Enjoyed the games through your words.

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  33. Gen Giggles 2 February 2015 at 23:15

    Memories of loved ones. Great poem, fitting for the US game played yesterday as well.

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  34. Sherry Blue Sky3 February 2015 at 03:20

    I love the lines "they are all dead now, my husbands, so tonight I can choose." You are so wonderful, Rosemary!

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  35. Wolfsrosebud3 February 2015 at 04:29

    funny how those memories linger

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  36. humbird4 February 2015 at 02:00

    Warmth of past can be real, I agree! Thanks to our memory! xx

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  37. Poppy4 February 2015 at 05:04

    Memories of our past, taking up permanent residence in our mind, also fill the space in our present. Whether it's for long term or short, the feelings that arise from them, furnish our heart and soul.

    Thanks for sharing yours.

    Poppy

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  38. Outlawyer11 February 2015 at 22:20

    This is a very pretty and creative poem, Rosemary--a lot of verve and poignancy. Thanks. (I will look at the Wild Girl). k. (http://manicddaily.wordpress.com)

    ReplyDelete

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