hesitation
before the grip of winter’s chill
almost all the leaves are gone
exposing branches to a cloudless sky
and pale light of a more distant sun
isolation
I watch it from the window
cold glass between me and the world
a video call heralds the promise
of a smiling face
celebration
a Sunday birthday this year
four decades of being my girl
mother and daughter together
rejoicing at a distance
Kim M. Russell, 18th November 2020
My response to Poets and Storytellers United Weekly Scribblings #46: Let’s Celebrate!
It was Rosemary’s birthday last week, which got her thinking about the friendship poetry has brought her over the years. She ponders on poetry being a recipe for instant intimacy, an opportunity to see into each other’s souls. She also tells us about her birthday party, with presents, foodie treats and a birthday dress – with a photo to prove it, and another to show us that she hasn’t really changed.
Rosemary wants to continue the party mood here by inviting us to write something celebratory or about a particular celebration, real or imagined.
It’s my daughter’s fortieth on Sunday and this year it will be a strange Covid celebration.
writing in north norfolk 
This is beautiful! Thankfully, I have a summer birthday and most restrictions of the first lockdown were lifted just a day before it.
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Thank you, Astrid. My birthday was in August and I was able to visit my daughter and grandson.
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Oh, that’s so wonderful! Happy early birthday to your daughter by the way.
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Thank you, Astrid, I’ll pass it on.
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Ah yes, I have taken part in some Zoom birthday parties this year! If we had to go through this pandemic, at least we’re doing it in the digital age.
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I am so thankful for Facetime and Zoom.
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It’s hard, sometimes; especially hard to blow out those cybercandles, eh?
Better days ahead.
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I hope so, Ron.
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Lovely, Kim – sorry you can’t be with your daughter in person to celebrate her fortieth…hopefully by the time I get to mine I will be able to see my dad again!
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Thanks Ingrid. I hope you will see your dad soon.
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Distance and isolation, as we are finding out, need not dampen our celebrations. Love your poem!
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Thank you!
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So loving and heartfelt …. happy birthday to beautiful daughter and equally beautiful mother who did all the hard work decades ago.
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Thank you so much, Helen!
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I appreciate the longing that distance brings. My beautiful daughter is 3000 miles away and we rarely get to celebrate her birthday together. A mother’s love finds its way, however, across the mies.
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It certainly does, Bev.
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Everything is strange this year. But what a lovely connection you have with your daughter. (K)
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Happy birthday to your daughter! I felt a little bad for my son that his 21rst birthday was spent with his weird parents and sibling, but he was a good sport. I’m so grateful Zoom exists though, for those connections outside the home.
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Thank you, Rommy, I’ll pass on the birthday wishes.
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How nice! My oldest turns 40 next year. How time flies, as they say!
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Thanks Lisa! This year, which I thought would crawl due to the pandemic, has flown. I hope it slows down a bit next year to give us time to catch up!
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Lovely pic of you and your daughter. Your sadness is beautifully expressed. Hang in there. All things must pass.
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Thanks so much, Rall.
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happy birthday week !
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Thanks Michael!
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What a wonderful celebration – and such vivid, crisp images
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Thanks so much, Jae.
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A nice tribute to your daughter, Kim. Everyone should have a daughter, I have two daughters, four granddaughters, In-law daughters and granddaughters, etc . Both Texas and Nebraska (where I grew up) were shy on public transportation. Having a car was freedom of sorts.
Thanks fdor peeking in and sorry I’m late returning. Things piled up..
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Thank you so much, Jim. I can’t wait to see my daughter and grandson again, once we’re allowed to. This pandemic has made a lot of people lonely.
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