We were a
bunch of pals, who started our real living together – in our
teenage years of discovery.
We went to
films: tennis club hops, later dances, fell in love, fell out again
and finally went our separate ways.
And then
young and with a life ahead of her, in another land, Deirdre died.
We had
danced together, talked together and went on walks but were not a
couple. She and Joe were that.
But her
death – even if it was twenty or so years later affected me in such
a way that I sought memorial solace, by giving her another life in
poems and stories and eventually as a central character in my first
book.
I often
thought about her and my other companions of our Bog Midland Prairie,
Pine Wood Rambling Days, shuffling among the leaves, or climbing the
banks to walk along the railway lines and canal tow-paths, or
gathering pocket money working the turf banks.
A few
nights ago, just drifting to wakefulness alert, a girl came to me
into my arms and cuddled me. She was vivacious, full of life and I
tingled in her embrace. I felt warm and secure. She apologised for
going away, and said she was back now. But I knew she would go away
again. She mentioned a name, a boy-man's name.
I awoke
wondering – why did I meet and cuddle Shamie? He was at school
with me, we were good pals, and then he went away to England. Why am
I dreaming of him now?
The day
passed and the images were re-run and solidified in my thinking.
Eventually I realised the girl was Deirdre.
And then I
remembered Shamie had died about a year ago. But why was he bringing
this girl to me in my dreams. Then I realised that Shamie, had been
married to Deirdre's older sister.
What
impact did, this dream sequence, have on me?
Well –
the sequel to In The Wicker Wood is now on the back burner, and I'm
back completing the book version of Here Lies...
The “…”
is important since it will be followed in the book by an inscription
on a headstone.
As usual
with my writing there is a BIG Clue to the start and end of the book
in the “...”.
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