Thursday, September 19, 2013

613 : Telegraphist's Shorthand


Three Word Wednesday requires participants
to use the three words of the week in a composition.
The words this week were Easygoing, Fact & Handsome.

Yeah, ‘easygoing’ is really two words, I know, but that was the prompt.

Coincidentally, the prompt was put up on the fifth 
anniversary of my father’s death.


Telegraphist's Shorthand

Of course he was handsome.
Strong.  Clever.  Funny too.
Looking back, I never thought of him
As easy going but he wasn’t stressed either.
Not on the surface at least, 
Not on the layer he showed the world.

There didn’t seem to be anything that
He couldn’t do if he tried.
I marvel at the fact that he built
A dog kennel, 
Then two sheds, 
Then a garage,
And, finally, a house.  
All with no power tools
And holding a high school carpentry book.
All the while driven by the love for 
A very special woman.

The last thing he wrote to her,
In intensive care,
On a small scrap of paper,
In shaky writing,
Was ‘CUL’.

Telegraphist’s shorthand.
'See you later.'
.
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© J Cosmo Newbery 2013
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17 comments:

  1. That is so lovely dear J Cosmo, some wonderful memories.
    xoxoxo ♡

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  2. Lovely photo of your parents.Your father was very clever doing all that with no power tools and just a book...shows what one can achieve if motivated.
    A very moving poem and I suspect your mother still holds him close to her in spirit.

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  3. Such a nice man with a good heart in its right place!! I loved the priority list you have mentioned, starting with the kennel :)

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  4. What a wonderful tribute, JC!

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  5. sounds like a wonderful person who loved deeply.a lovely tribute

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  6. That was an ambush poem. Thinking of you and your mum.

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  7. This is stunning. And has me starting my day with tears pricking at my eyes.

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  8. And a fine, touching tribute to your father it is, too.

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  9. Beautifully written. A lovely way to remember grandpa, even if it did also bring me to tears

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  10. Diane HaldaneSeptember 20, 2013

    Beautiful! xo

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  11. Ray would be so proud of his beloved son because he loved the well written word, and you have me in tears with yours. You must be with your Mum when she reads this. She will need a cuddle.

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  12. Giants roamed the world in those days. Your tribute was very touching and I was able to recall the prowess of my own father in other fields.

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  13. "Lovely memory lovely poem!"

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  14. this is lovely, and touching.

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    Replies
    1. That's because he's lovely and touched.

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