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Family Secrets

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Mossy vines served as camouflage for a decaying headstone This was the first time I’d laid eyes on your final resting place In front of me stood a grey granite slab covered in emerald moss Green ivy clung to the stone and snaked round the nearby yew tree It was evident your grave had not been visited for many many years In fact, until ten days ago I didn’t know you existed … A family secret kept hidden from me by my elderly ‘mother’ It wasn’t until her recent death I discovered the real truth At the will reading the lawyer presented me with an envelope Spidery handwriting revealed that my real mother died in childbirth I discovered that I’d been adopted; my real name was Sara James Seeing my original birth certificate for the first time was a huge shock Now I know the reason I felt that I never belonged With my raven hair and pale skin I looked very different from my sister Beth I’d been told I looked like my great aunt and I’d never queried this Now I stand in front of the plot where my real mother is buried I spend an hour weeding, tidying and cleaning the gravestone Rivers of tears run down my face when I finally reveal the inscription Carved in the decaying stone I read Ellen James - died 17th April 1953 aged 33 Fell asleep with her tiny angel Susan James - died 17th April 1953 born sleeping Family secrets kept hidden in the graveyard Sobbing bitter tears I kneel down and leave a red rose For my mother and my twin sister that until today I never knew existed Fictional write for Camouflage me a Poem Contest Sponsored by Broken Wings Theme 1 chosen - Mossy vines served as camouflage for a decaying headstone 08~04~16

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Darren White

Date: 9/5/2016 3:18:00 AM

A win for you in this contest! Congrats! (Bit late ;-) )

Darren White
Date: 9/8/2016 2:07:00 AM

Yes. It is heartbreaking and beautiful Jan... So beautiful *sigh*

Jan Allison
Date: 9/5/2016 5:49:00 AM

Thanks Darren - as you can see I don't write humour all the time! I was really pleased with the way this one turned out - I think the fact I wasn't restricted by syllables or form helped my creativity:-) hugs Jan xx

Constance La France

Date: 8/12/2016 10:51:00 PM

Jan, congratulations on your win in my contest with this beautifully penned poem and what a great image too !

Jan Allison
Date: 8/15/2016 2:44:00 PM

I was so delighted to place so well - thanks for an awesome prompt without it the poem would never have been written:-):-) hugs Jan xx

Sandra Haight

Date: 8/11/2016 6:02:00 PM

Such a heartbreaking poem-story, Jan, so amazingly written. Congratulations on your fine podium win! 7 Hugs, Sandra

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:34:00 PM

Thanks Sandra:hugs Jan xx

Seren Roberts

Date: 8/11/2016 12:37:00 PM

Creative and so well written congratulations... Seren

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:34:00 PM

Thanks Seren:hugs Jan xx

Joseph May

Date: 8/11/2016 8:49:00 AM

Well written Jan...Congrats on your win

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:36:00 PM

Thanks Joseph:-)hugs Jan xx

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/11/2016 4:29:00 AM

This is a heart render, Jan:) Congratulations on a worthy win:) A #7:)

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:36:00 PM

Thanks Jo:-)hugs Jan xx

Eve Roper

Date: 8/10/2016 11:16:00 PM

Jan, this didn't sound fictional, your creative art excelled in this beautiful poem!!! Congratulations on your win!!! Hugs Eve

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:36:00 PM

Thanks so much Eve I enjoyed the prompt BW gave us:-)hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/10/2016 10:58:00 PM

Hi Jan, I knew this was winner when I first saw it. Congratulations on your 1st place win. It was well deserved: -) Alexis

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:37:00 PM

Thanks Alexis:-)hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/10/2016 9:47:00 PM

Now I gotta go see Carrie's!!(if I haven't already)

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:37:00 PM

:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/10/2016 9:46:00 PM

wow, Jan, you really thought up quite a tale there!! Very imaginative of you. I did not see the "twin" part coming and I love the way you said, "born sleeping" is that a common thing they say in england? BIG congrats and well deserved.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:38:00 PM

Thanks Andrea - I'm not sure if 'born sleeping' is a common phrase I just thought it apt for the poem:-)hugs Jan xx

Lu Loo

Date: 8/10/2016 9:37:00 PM

Jan, this is awesome and so worthy of a first place...congrats lady :)-luloo

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:38:00 PM

Thanks LuLoo:-)hugs Jan xx

Carrie Richards

Date: 8/10/2016 8:50:00 PM

It may be fiction, but you had me believing !! Great piece this is, Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:39:00 PM

Thanks Carrie it was a wonderful prompt that BW gave us:-)hugs Jan xx

Vladislav Raven

Date: 8/8/2016 6:11:00 AM

Hi Jan, this is a sad yet beautiful write, the sadness itself gives the piece its beauty. This is a fictional write and yet you make it so real. As always, your skill in the poetic arts shines through as always. This write does touch the haert deeply. I do wish you well in the contest Jan. A wonderful write indeed. Excellent content and flow. This is a seven and a definite fave. Hugs....Mike. XX

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 12:40:00 PM

Thanks Mike:-)hugs Jan xx

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/7/2016 4:40:00 PM

WoW! Jan, this is a good entry for the contest. It was so believable. I felt like you were telling me a deep family secret that happened a long time ago.It was so sad and heartbreaking. I think you just landed a spot on the winners list with this write. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. A gigantic seven:-) Alexis

Jan Allison
Date: 8/7/2016 4:50:00 PM

Thanks Alexis it was a wonderful line prompt and I know Constance likes an emotional poem so I hope she likes my take on the theme:-) hugs Jan xx

James Inman

Date: 8/6/2016 1:39:00 PM

Exquisite write Jan!! Your story drew me in and the headstone epitaph gave me a chill. Beautiful flow with a wonderful eerie quality. Can't say enough about this. Wonderful!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/6/2016 5:10:00 PM

Thanks so much James I do like to surprise with a more serious write from time to time:-) hugs Jan xx

Jean Murray

Date: 8/5/2016 4:38:00 PM

Wonderful Jan. Good luck.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/5/2016 7:23:00 PM

Thanks Jean:-) hugs Jan xx

DM Babbit

Date: 8/5/2016 2:53:00 PM

So wonderfully relayed. Some family secrets are kept hidden well; threats often made to those who would tell. Children who know no better, often sharing like an open letter. Sworn to secrecy I was and to betray that ever gives me pause.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/5/2016 7:22:00 PM

Thanks for dropping by DM:-) hugs Jan xx

CayCay Jennings

Date: 8/5/2016 7:58:00 AM

Your imagination soared with creativity on this one, Jan. An emotional drama unfolds through excellent writing. I'm impressed, love this exceptional write ... CayCay

Jan Allison
Date: 8/5/2016 8:05:00 AM

Thanks CayCay I know Constance likes sad so I tried to deliver:-) hugs Jan xx