"The Wedding Of Miriam And Hubert" by Susie Hemingway.

~ 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.

08 August, 2009

"The Wedding Of Miriam And Hubert" by Susie Hemingway.

My very talented Sister Jane, restored the above Photo which is almost one hundred years old. She lovingly worked-on this picture from the past taking approximately twenty hours to bring it back from something that you could barely see, to this very interesting and wonderful keepsake for our grandchildren. She has been a great support and advocate to me during Hamada's illness and enjoys reading all my "Poems Of Love". So it was without hesitation that when asked, would I write a second poem for her upcoming journal about " days gone by - a family history" I very quickly agreed. It is still, after all, "a Poem Of Love!" So here we have:

"The Wedding Of Miriam And Hubert"

The faces staring out you see
a legacy from the past
linked by love it seems to me
a marriage that will last,
this primed, set and ordered way
made this for Miriam, a special day.

The Ladies all in hats so fine
brought in boxes and decked in time,
dripping with flowers, covered in lace
see how the little lads know their place!
Brush your hair, pomade at will,
shine your shoes, bring Grandpa's pills!

Sparkling jewels on collars and cuffs
has Aunt Maud brought her muff?
our handsome pair have walked the aisle
a special breakfast in a while,
but now we must all look our best
for Hubert's 'heaven' in nineteen eleven.

Don't forget your gloves or cane,
dear God, don't let there be more rain!
bring the chairs for we must pose,
young Jimmy please to wipe your nose.
Are we ready in our places?
A little stern, for happy faces!

'Poof and Bang' the camera goes
who'd have thought the world would know...

* Pomade: A Scented ointment for hair or skin of head.

:Thank you to Gerald Tucker for the Family
Photo.
:Photo Restored by Janey Johnson.
:All Rights Reserved

6 comments:

Andrew Strong said...: Andrew Strong { 08.08.09 } An enchanting poem capturing the essence of the wonderful old photo, injecting some light hearted banter into the picture. Well done Ms Hemingway.
Andrew.; 8 August 2009 at 12:07
Janey Johnson said...: Janey Johnson, Wow, you are brilliant. If you look closely at the photo, bottom left there looks to be a pair of lost gloves. Fabulous work Susie. love Janey; 9 August 2009 at 08:46
Karen Westhaver said...: Karen Westhaver LOVE this Susie !!!; 9 August 2009 at 08:53
Jenny said...: An amazing work by my sisters. This is now a family heirloom in words and pictures.Wonderful!; 9 August 2009 at 10:48
Barry said...: I like this style and how well it sits with the photo. Very interesting to view the photo, how clever you are ladies.; 10 August 2009 at 20:46
June. said...: Linked Via Jane for Susie's web site, it is quite mesmerising. I have sat here reading her poems etc for the best part of an hour and a half. They are so beautiful - love is a strong emotion and her poems engulfed me. She and Hamada are so lucky to have each other. Thank you again. The Wedding poem and photograph were brilliant - definitely two talented sisters in the family.
June.; 12 August 2009 at 17:35

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BLOG REVIEWS

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 ~

08 August, 2009