Tuesday, August 22, 2006

"Sing Another My Dear Mother"

She was Irish.  And though her father was Italian, she'd always say, "Ah yes well, that's the bit of me little finger there, ya see it?  The rest of me, sure she's Irish through and through don't ya know!"  With her imitation brogue, my Mom would regale us in laughing wide-eyed wonder as she imitated the Gaelic charms of the land her forebears left to start anew in "Amerikee" as they'd pronounce it. 

We had a ritual, she and I, where she'd practice her opera singing and I'd play piano for her, helping her read the special language of music, her "private rehearsal pianist" as she liked to brag of me, and eventually for the entire opera chorus.  Pretty heady stuff for an old paralegal like me, and I've never stopped thanking the Good God who blessed me with this gift, the ability to sight-read music and play by ear.

I wrote my Mother a song after she died on her birthday last year, and though you cannot hear the music, these are the words.  I remember her as she once was, in that picture, her every feature more perfect than the next:

Come and linger one more moment,

stay and sing just one more song -

clear as crystal, high and ringing,

dare I ever sing along?

Best for me to stay and play

the music to each special tune -

Golden Days of Endless Promise,

everything that's gone too soon.

Now you sing in dreams -

haunting me it seems ...

heaven waits with angel's feather,

wait! please stay with me forever.

'Never leave your song unwritten'

these are words you spoke to me -

such a one as you, dear Mother,

everything I long to see.

csr

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow your Mom was a beautiful creature.  My Mom is Italian and my Dad is Irish.    

Anonymous said...

Beautiful entry!
Patrick

Anonymous said...

When Irish eyes are smiling........ :)
Wonderful entry.
Barb  

Anonymous said...

Lovely words about your Mum!!!
Kate.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/bobandkate/AnAnalysisofLife/

Anonymous said...

Great entry!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Mom, Luddie.  The song is beautiful, as your poems and writings always are.  Your mom was very attractive and you can such a graceful woman.  It is good to have such fond memories of her and to be able to honour her with your song.  This brings back many memories of Mom, who would have been 85 this past Sunday.  They are now in heaven, maybe even friends like you and I.  God bless you my friend.

TreesRGreen78

Anonymous said...

Luddie.. I didn't realize that lovely woman was your mother.  I saw the tribute to her in Stevie's video, but I wasn't famiiar with who she belonged to.  Ahh.. so this is your dear mother.  What a beautiful poem and a wonderful, heartfelt tribute you wrote for her.  I'm sure she is looking down and smiling on you, Luddie.
I know what it feels like to lose your mother.  Mine passed on when she was only 56, and I was a mere 24 years old.  I have lived longer without her in my life, than I did with her in it. :(   I miss her so much.

Hugs,
Jackie

Anonymous said...

Omg....what a LOVELY entry...Nearly had me in tears!!!

Your Mother looks great in the video...she was a really pretty woman!!

Lv Stevie
xxxx

Anonymous said...

Your Mother was truly lovely!
My Mom wasIrish too, Dad was German! What a mix!!! LOL
Great entry, enjoyed reading it.
Love ya,
Sugar

Anonymous said...

Dear Kathy,
sigh Oh Kathy Your mother was so wonderful and beautiful! I miss my mother too! whata lovely tribute to her you created!
love,natalie
http://journals.aol.com/Lurkyant/Interface/