Tales Of The King

As a child I was failed by my Father, both as a parent and role model, his hands and other implements of fear never missed their mark. The effect of this situation on me, was lessened in so many ways by my wonderful Aunt Kathleen & Uncle Tony. They have always shown me so much love, encouragement & instilled in me a belief that family can work. Sadly my hero, my Uncle Tony passed away in 2011 following a very long period of illness. My Uncle was a published novelist using the pseudonym Harrison Anthony, his only novel was entitled 'Women Incorporated', and was published in 1996 by Minerva Press. My Aunt & Uncle spent a lot of time living abroad through my Uncles' position as a Chartered Surveyor. One of these places was Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland, where my Uncle was working on a project for the King. I always missed them terribly, however, Uncle Tony & I would exchange letters regularly. I could barely wait for each new letter, always so beautifully written, and regaling me with 'Tales of the King'. Around about 8 years ago I set about writing a poem dedicated to my Uncle Tony. I struggled for weeks in my efforts to say what I wanted, & needed to say. It dawned on me one afternoon, whilst scrunching up yet another failed effort, the reason the words would not come, was because I was trying to write it solely about my Uncle. If I wanted this piece to be from the heart, and truly convey my memories and feelings, I had to write the poem about both my Aunt and my Uncle, they were inseparable in life, and there was simply no way this project was going to succeed if I tried to write about them singly. This revelation and recognition of their love for each other inspired the following piece 'Tales of the King'. The piece recollects happy times and sad, recalling my beloved Aunt's Mum, my Nan 'Viley' who would always sing hymns to us in the car when returning from a day out. It refers to places in Kent, my county of birth, but most of all I hope it conveys the love I will always have for both my Aunty Kath & my late Uncle Tony, they will both remain my heroes, always.


             Tales of the King

Recollections they greet us with fervent wide smiles

Over two score years, and thousands of miles

Time spent together, though more days apart

Each moment shared, was a gift from the heart

Remember back when? I hear you both ask,

As stories unfold from times in our past

An office, some drawings and Canterbury’s there

I eagerly followed you up each wooden stair

The sun seemed to fade when our journeys would part

Yet every day your smiles would glow in my heart

Great distance between us, but how this child would sing

When letters regaled me with tales of the King

There was leather on willow and picking wild flowers

Sisters, cousins, brothers, all the families, they were ours

The long haired, the short haired, the tall and the dark

Nurturing each one deeply, even when life, it tore at the heart

From Dymchurch to Margate we shared summer days

Listening to hymns sung by our beloved Violet May

The things that so bind us is much more than the laughs

It’s within Angels Trumpets and a Giraffe, hand carved

Like the roar of the Lion your voices remain so strong

A constant in my life which lets me know I belong

Treasured memories fill my mind with recollections of such golden times

All filled with such deep love for an Aunt and Uncle of mine