A Lady Unknown

A Lady Unknown 
 I have a photo of my grandmother, she looks so 
young and beautiful, her hair glossy, but there 
is a paleness about her and a sadness in her eyes,
It is a death has sought her out cast a net of illness 
around her, ready to haul its catch and devour her.
  
I know little about her, where she came from, was 
she an angel that found its way to my grandfather´s 
heart, one who became human out of love but knew 
she could not stay? When I look in the mirror and ask,” 
Have I got your eyes? She looks back at me in grief. 

I say I know who you are, the lost, daughter of Manus 
the one he expelled because he found kindness in 
your heart? Her eyes, deep as mystery lakes in May, 
look at me in silence, but I do see a flicker of an ironic 
smile… or was she the lady of the camellias?

I see tears swell in her eyes, depression grips me 
as heart ache of love betrayed, shall I ever know 
who she was… this woman who bore five children 
and died at 27. It can't be so there must be more,
not only this bleak silence of the untold.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013


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Date: 4/30/2013 6:25:00 AM
Great poem. Very enjoyable read.
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Hansen Avatar
Jan Oskar Hansen
Date: 4/30/2013 7:04:00 AM
thank you Matthew
Date: 4/28/2013 7:40:00 AM
Dear Jan - I am so in love with this piece, so full of ardor. I have a picture of my grandmother holding my mother when she was an infant (around 1911). My grandmother was extremely influential in my life. A port in the storm. I'm sorry you never knew yours. Maybe that's where your gift with words comes from. I'm going back to read it again and look up lady of the camellias. I am extremely moved by this one, Jan. and will surely print it out. love, Kathy
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Hansen Avatar
Jan Oskar Hansen
Date: 4/28/2013 9:36:00 AM
thank you Kathy glad you liked it
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