Adina Augusta Purcell

Can words truly capture the essence of the lady on the hill Whose womb bore eight but yet- Has mothered countless others? Whose hands dug deep to till the soil; to stretch outwards to care, to share, to bear another’s burdens To reach upwards, ever acknowledging her Creator and God; to reach around to hug, to squeeze with compassion or delight As I write Can my words truly capture the essence of the lady on the hill Whose ears were alert to hear the fear in the voices of each troubled soul To support, to mould many a one through life’s turbulent maze Whose eyes were quick to thwart the tricks of teenage ploys and tricks Yet gentle to appreciate the ruse of youth and childhood frolic Lady iconic Can my words truly capture the essence of this lady on the hill Whose feet have tread through communities, islands and lands Ever seeking to break the bar of ethnic indifference or scare, Touching cultures and peoples, near and far, The Purcells’ star Which words can capture the essence of this lady on the hill? Whose lips utter timely cusps of wisdom, Yet canny to deliver sweet quips in playful jest of laughter Whose mind was quick to discern, while effervescent in joyful banter Whose sense of style in head gear and African attire Depict her spirit of life and culture’s flairs Antigua’s dame Her name Adina, Hebrew in origin Means delicate and gentle as the way she cares for each child, woman, man And also noble, spreading a fragrance of peace and joy, permeating the hearts she touched For she loved and was loved so much By all It pains to recall But as I pause, despite the agony, I have hope and can smile For she blessed us and promised, t’will only be awhile till we meet again Her love ever etched in my heart Will flourish like lilies in the dell Tis merely a fleeting farewell No, words cannot truly capture the essence of this lady on the hill or tell Of the love and true worth of Adina Augusta Purcell