Poetry Competition 2019 - Third Place

Judith Tremaine Drazin

Lambing

That year of the Great Snowfall,

With the landscape disturbed,

And daily life uneasy,

The farmer from along the lane,

Walked into our best room,

Where all was matching

And the ornaments dusted,

Without even knocking.

The electric fire radiated,

My mother being delicate.

His snow encrusted boots

Mottled the carpet; bottles

Protruded from each pocket

And in his arms two lambs.

Primordial, dignified he stood,

And careful in his speech

Iíd be obliged he said

Our shippon being overfull

The kitchen too. Bottles

Day and night. My mother

Gave the faintest nod

And from the mantle shelf,

Her role usurped

The china shepherdess stared down.

 

I am a widow, I wrote radio scripts, mainly Listen With Mother when the children were small, - £8 a story which meant new shoes for someone. Then life and teaching (in a childrens' hospital) intervened and I took up writing poetry as a kind of therapy after my husband's death. I have had several successes in competitions and have amassed several dictionaries. I have two adult children and enchanting twin grandchildren who love creative writing lessons.