"Calm Are These Days"

~ Poems of Love ~

The following poems have been written by me, for my husband Hamada, who suffered from Multiple Myeloma [IgG Kappa] a cancer of the plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. After many months of chemotherapy, contracting pneumonia twice, once given only twelve hours to live and having three bad fractures to his spine and also showing in his Pelvis, he made it to four years seven months. The Multiple Myeloma attacked his Kidneys first showing at diagnosis in May 2006 leaving Hamada only a small percentage of kidney function. He never complained, using his most amazing smile even when I knew he had severe pain. Hamada underwent a Stem Cell Transplant using his own 'harvested stem cells' . During October 2007 he spent seventeen days in the "Centre For Clinical Haematology" at Nottingham City Hospital UK. where he achieved this transplant. We had a scare at six months after transplant, when told 'the beast was back' but subsequent tests showed a partial remission. Again in early 2009 it was confirmed that Hamada was out of remission He fought again during 2010 with newer chemo type drugs. First with Velcade and then with Revlimid but to no avail. His Kidneys were failing further and Hamada chose not to have dialysis. This blog contains poems and updates, written for Hamada, telling of our life together.
Now a beautiful book has been published, see http://www.susiehemingway.com/books/
showing Hamada's personal fight against Multiple Myeloma in the first fifty 'poems of love' written by me his wife. I hope you like these poems of love and also 'our story' dedicated to Hamada, who passed away peacefully at home on 23 November 2010 after a most courageous fight against Multiple Myeloma.

20 June, 2009

"Calm Are These Days"

Soft jade green and mellow amber
are the colours of these days,
soft green like finest cashmere
I'd wish to wear in special ways,
liquid amber of runny butterscotch
poured gently smooth on silky creams
calm like soothing sax at midnight
seems to be the current scene,
days unfold like gentle ripples, lapping
clear against the shore and you
as peaceful as the morning vista
that glistens across land we adore.

Calm and peaceful for a while
like soft vowels in lovers breath,
warm and sweet like feather touch
a pause infinite and needed
Oh! so very much...
Then days that came like brightly coloured
Peacock that arrived in view,
we sat together admiring beauty
no 'grey life' was meant for you!
Colours shimmering a Midas touch,
treasures of the purest nature
"thank you Lord" this means so much.

Soft jade green and mellow amber
are the colours of these days,
then turquoise blues of dazzling splendour
arrived for us along the way
like prismatic rainbow over Maui
or amber sunsets falling West
just as clear as morning dew
with glistening eyes - I drink this view.

All Rights Reserved @ June 2009.
Photo taken by Susie Hemingway
( The Peacock visted for three days )

8 comments:

Karen Brook said...: Oh Susie this is exquisite! I love the way you weave your words...so expressive and far more than just descriptive, though everything is so perfectly picturesque in the mind's eye. ALL the senses are caressed by your words. So very beautiful in every way. And a peacock visited Hemingway for 3 days? Like visiting royalty enjoying your hospitality while blessing you with his regal, graceful, colorful beauty. Thank you for sharing your precious gift!; 21 June 2009 at 06:31
Barbara Hodgson- Noosa Australia. said...: I love your poems,much love to Hamada from Clive and myself.; 22 June 2009 at 13:48
Lora Conrad said...: Susie - "Calm Are These Days" painted a breathtaking aura of color and serenity that floated me above the clouds so I could envision it in slow motion - breathing in every word - it was magical! Especially for those of us who share Multiple Myeloma with Hamada, poetry gives us an escape from "over thinking" our situation. With a beautiful name like Susie Hemingway Moursi, it is no doubt poetry flows as freely as a river from your pen. Some things are just meant to be. Thank you for making our world a better place and creating a blog we can escape to in our own days of needs! You are a treasure. Much Love & Respect, Lora; 22 June 2009 at 23:29
Anonymous said...: Beautiful poem to take you away from the pain and sadness of Myeloma.; 24 June 2009 at 21:48
Carol. USA said...: Thank you for this lovely poem I am a multiple myeloma sufferer and you poems help me a lot.; 27 June 2009 at 09:57
James and Anna. USA said...: This is such a pretty use of words and captures the picture perfectly. We so love your poems and it has helped us deal with some problems we have. Thanking you from the bottom of our hearts Susie.; 30 June 2009 at 10:11
Unknown said...: I love the images this generates... This is beautiful, Susie.; 1 July 2009 at 23:11
Michael Morse said...: I loved reading this so much I did so again and again. At times I felt as though I were an artist at my easel painting the day away.

Thank you!; 3 July 2009 at 21:18

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Lora Conrad : Susie -"Calm Are These Days" painted a breathtaking aura of colour and serenity that floated me above the clouds so I could envision it in slow motion - breathing in every word - it was magical! Especially for those of us who share Multiple Myeloma with Hamada, poetry gives us an escape from "over thinking" our situation. With a beautiful name like Susie Hemingway Moursi, it is no doubt poetry flows as freely as a river from your pen. Some things are just meant to be. Thank you for making our world a better place and creating a blog we can escape to in our own days of needs! You are a treasure. Much Love and & Respect Lora.

Excellent : Powerful sentiments and emotions expressed with skill, heart, and care.
Colin Brown.

Excellent: Beautiful Poetry.
Teresa K: http://www.purpleride.blogspot.com/

Selected as one of Lt. Michael Morse's five most favourite blogs see http://www.rescuing-providence.blogspot.com/

Karen Brook Westhaver: You blog is poignant, exquisite and simply amazing, your web-site is utterly delightful! I have no words to describe the beauty of your poetry as to try to do so would seem to take away from it's incredibly creative and beautifully woven words reflecting the inestimable power of love and fully living life connected with all your senses and feelings. This takes much courage.
http://www.joyfortheday.blogspot.com/

Comments on latest poem: "How Still"
Your words are subtle, yet sublime, and lift the psyche to a peaceful place where my faith in the good of humanity is restored...You ought to publish and let the world enjoy too.
Ken

Extract from the poem - Dreams of Montazah - by Susie Hemingway

An Extract from - CAIRO - by Susie Hemingway

Oh, Cairo of the sepia light
empurple in the late of night,
the sparkling rays on marble stones
the quickest steps and gleaming domes.
The narrow streets and alleyways,
the different smells, the different ways.
The hookah pipes, the mint tea trays,
Oh! Cairo and your faded ways

The dark robed men
with beads and dice
delicious honey with special spice,
the bright and silky lengths of cloths
tahina, lentils in a pot.
Can you recall this magic place?
for I can see your handsome face.
Oh! Cairo of the sepia light... Cont.

Extract from - A Teardrop From Your Eye - by Susie Hemingway

I saw the teardrop from your eye
you turned your head, a little sign,
you feel your pain, but seldom say
" yes, it's been a difficult day"
the courage of this daily battle,
you're brave and steadfast, it's your way
never letting in the sadness that
begins at dawn and ends at sleep.
I saw that teardrop from your eye
it made me angry, it made me cry.

The changes you accept so well
must be for you, a living hell,
to not be steady on your legs
to feel so sick, you need your bed
you sit and drink the world right in
in quiet ways, you always sing,
you smile as if a secret brings
a gift of happiness within.
I saw the teardrop from your eye
it made me angry, it made me cry... Cont.

Susie Hemingway - A Power Within.

~ Poems of Love ~

20 June, 2009