ABOUT A LETTER

ABOUT A LETTER I was cleaning and re-arranging my Precious book-shelves, A lot came down, a lot went back after dusting Off, much of such Dust, but one blue heavy book caught my attention, I am not of those who often delves, But this one tickled my fancy, maybe a connection, I noticed something, I should have before, that was so Visible, between the stained brown pages, still ageing, So took the book down from The busy and much-loved bookcase, As I did so, some dust or, famous poets ashes, Fell down upon my face. All poets enter and exit a fantasy world, Perhaps Keats who knew Poet Leigh Hunt, together Their ghostly remains now ashes, found a place, warm and Welcome where they would be respected and remain For eternity, my bookcase, They left the cold haunted cemetery far behind. Don’t be disturbed, the answer lies just a little ahead, Today I got out the right side of the bed. I opened the book, inside was a short letter To me written on a flimsy, creased piece of paper, From my Grandfather, dated December 1968 He had placed it between the pages of poems written By a famous poet – James Henry Leigh Hunt –1784-1859. Excitement gripped me, my curiosity had got the better Of me. My maiden name is Hunt, my dad was From Yorkshire in England, and the poet, from Middlesex, England. James Henry Leigh Hunt died on the 28th August 1859. My birthday is on the 28th August, what a coincidence, I’d like to think I’m related to him, But the chances I’m afraid, are rather slim. A second surprise I discovered when reading Leigh’s poems, Perhaps I should contact Ghostbusters Or people who are poem hunters, Who could trace Leigh Hunt ‘s ghost, and ask him Directly, are Jenny and you related, For he unknowingly I would like to think, Wrote me a poem, though he knew nought of me, Found in the Oxford Book of English Verse - My copy printed 1966. It’s title, "Jenny kiss’d Me" – were we kin, For me, that would be a win. I am in the future and you Leigh Hunt, in the past, My hope or perhaps doubt, that we are kin, Will always linger and last. P.S My Great grand father translated poems and biblical works from English to Greek, as well as from Turkish to Greek including Leigh Hunt’s work. Hence my grandfather’s letter to me so very long ago which I only discovered two days ago. And my grandfather wrote poetry in both English and Greek Poem written by Leigh Hunt Jenny kiss’d Me Jenny kisse’d me when we met, Jumping from the chair she sat in; Time you thief, who love to get, Sweets into your list, put that in! Say I’m weary, say I’m sad, Say that health and wealth have miss’d me, Say I’m getting old, but add, Jenny kiss’d me.