So Much Depends Upon

Miss you, Alice.  Everyday.

Alice hated having her picture taken.  You can see the discomfort in her face, but she stood still for me because I asked her to, this time.

Alice loved going for walks at "Betsy's Field" with John on Sundays.  They would leave me at home and go off and do their thing.  I went with them on this day though.  Two years ago.

"Betsy's Field" is a hillside clearing that overlooks the entrance to Somes Sound and across to the Northeast Harbor shore.  I don't know if anyone else calls it "Betsy's Field", but we do because we know Betsy, and it's her field.  Alice lost herself in the scents, the tide pools, the rodents, and crunchy shoreline tidbits - and running and running, herding seagulls - every once in a while lifting her head to locate John, keeping him close.  "Betsy's Field", for both of them, was a Sunday kind of place to find peace and confirmation of all that is beautiful in the world.   

   

William Carlos Williams inspired me to write a poem for Alice, who died a year ago.  

                                                                    so much depends

                                                                    upon

                                                                    Alice's greeting

                                     

                                                                    her nose between door

                                                                    and frame

                                                                           

                                                                    then

                                                                    her smiling face

                                                                    and eyes

                                                                                                        

                                                                    paw reaching, a kiss

                                                                    a confirmation

                                                          

                                                                    oh, happy day

                                                                    you're home!  

                                                                                         - spm

                                                                            (based on WCW's "The Red Wheelbarrow")