Tis life … time goes on … remembering those days … my house in Johannesburg had a pomegranate tree … under which friends and I'd sit ...
...at that stage life was fun, as it is now – just different – the pomegranate symbolising romantic longings … heart tingling times … still does … but more comfortably …
Clambering red rose ...
In my semi-hibernating mode I remembered the poem by AA Milne …
By E H Shepard
Halfway down the stairs
Is a stair
Where I sit.
There isn't any
Other stair
Quite like
It.
I'm not at the bottom,
I'm not at the top;
So this is the stair
Where
I always
Stop.
Halfway up the stairs
Isn't up
And isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery,
It isn't in the town.
 |
| 1924 - first edition |
And all sorts of funny thoughts
Run round my head:
"It isn't really
Anywhere!
It's somewhere else
Instead!"
Tis where I am … thinking I'm in the sun with a pomegranate in my hand … living life, but slowly remembering those days … hankering after them perhaps … but no – life is still being enjoyed …
Pomegranate tree
Just peacefully living positively ... now the sun has started to appear again - that grey was getting to me ...
I just hope you're all well, able to cope with life … take care …
The lusciousness of the love apple
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
16 comments:
Simple but profound poem.
Hari OM
I hear ya... recognise that first setting-in of life's twilight when we start to see longer shadows and memories take life... and now I am hankering for a pomegranate. I adore them! YAM xx
How lovely to have a pomegranate tree. Pomegranates are so good for us, but they're quite expensive.
the sun doesn’t seem to have reached here yet!
Sounds like a lovely memory.
@ Alex - thanks ... an easy one at this time ...
@ Yam - oh good ... yesterday was sunny, today back to grey ... but it is lighter. Pomegranates do appear at times ... probably in London ... I hope you can find one sometime.
@ Janice - yes the little house was a delight with its fruit trees ... while the courtyard with its dappled sun was very comforting ...
@ Anabel - yes I realise the sun has been hiding from most of us here in this country ... even for you in bonny Scotland ...
@ Liz - fun times were had by many ...
Thanks to you all - cheers Hilary
Pomegranates have diverse cultural-religious significance, as a symbol of life and fertility owing to their many seeds but also as a symbol of power, blood and death. I didn't know any of this.
Pomegranates already symbolised fertility, beauty and eternal life, in Greek and Persian mythology (Alimentarium).
There is a lot of symbolism associated with pomegranates, Hilary, but I think my days of contributing to the fertility bit are over! I’d give it a try though! We are both in the twilight zone of our lives now and I suppose that reflection is part of the baggage that goes with it. The only answer is to get up every day and attack life with gusto. I will continue to do that. Now about that fertility challenge…….
Hugs - David
Even as far from you as Atlanta, Georgia, USA, it's been cloudy and rainy and cold. When the sun comes out it's so welcome!
The poem reminded me of many years ago when my sister was born. My grandmother's both came to help my mother out. My maternal grandmother was washing clothes in the basement. I would go down for awhile and then say I had to go and so sit halfway up the stairs. I remember doing that, but no idea why.
@ Hels - you're right the fruit encompasses so much culture ...
@ David - ah ha ... mine too ... but remembering back. We must get up with verve and life ahead ... and enjoy ourselves an dhelp others ... wishing peace for all ... ok - I'll leave the fertility challenge as it's breakfast time!
@ Kristin - good to see you ... I know my mother didn't have any help from grandparents and times were tough after WW2 here; I remember our one set of stairs with a royal blue carpet on it!! We had a back area for washing etc ... times for remembering ...those halfway stairs - how lovely I brought those memories back for you.
Cheers to you three in times of uncertainty for so many in the world - take care - Hilary
Love the poem - Now I need to find some steps to sit on. Alas, our house is one story. I always loved the stoop at my grandmother's house. Plenty to watch from there and it was in the shade of a huge oak tree.
I appreciate your rather reflective post. Hope you are well. A spot of sunshine always helps a bit. We are cold (30s F), but clear. Take good care.
What a lovely, visual post, Hils. I'd love to sit under a pomegranate tree.
A pomegranate tree - how lovely! This time of year is difficult for many of us and it helps to remember sunnier places and times. I enjoyed the poem, Better to be in the middle than at the bottom, yes? ☺ At least February is already half over.
It was only recently that I realised it was a poem. I remember Kermit the Frog's little cousin singing it on the Muppet Show!
I'm not a fan of pomegranate - it has such a weird texture and makes my tongue numb.
Oh, Hilary, I am there with you! The gray was getting to me too, but spring is almost here. I can already feel the stirrings and hope has returned! Wishing you all the best as all the colors brighten!
@ Joanne - yes it was just the right poem to find at this time. Try your pool steps?! Your grandmother's house sounds wonderful ... lovely - we had a huge oak tree as kids. We had sunshine today, and it's going to get warmer (and no doubt wetter!) later in the week ... I gather you've been having awful weather ...
@ Sandra - I used to love the pomegranate patio ... fun place ...
@ Debbie - it's wonderful remembering that little house. But you're right about being in the middle of February I agree ... and much better being on the way up ... I hope!!
@ Annalisa - yes I guess younger people found the poem the way you found it ... not something I've seen - better get a plan about having a look ...
I made a dinner for friends one evening out of pomegranates ... starters, mains and dessert - fun to create! Once was enough though ...
@ Renee - thanks ... sorry you're struggling like me, but thankfully Spring is almost here - well at least warmer weather and longer days ... it'll improve soon ...
Thanks everyone - we're nearly into Spring ... cheers Hilary
Post a Comment