Grandma and the Red Umbrella

Whether it’s for protection
from the bullion blaze
of the sun or acidic city rain,
the red umbrella draws the gaze
of everyone on Grandma’s street.

It’s with her whenever she goes out,
furled or unfurled, swung or twirled,
you can see her coming in the distance,
dancing and tripping on the pavement.

She is the personification of jolly,
always ready for gossip and chatter,
glad to be out and about with her brolly
in case of a sudden change in the weather;
Grandma is the neighbourhood’s barometer.

Kim M. Russell, 2nd August 2023

Image from Unsplash+ in collaboration with Getty Images

I wrote this poem for last month’s Visual Verse prompt, but it wasn’t included, so I’m sharing it at the dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night. I had to find a different image, though.

I won’t be around next week as my daughter, her husband and the boys are coming up for my birthday. I’ll be back again on Monday 14th August, hosting Prosery.

33 thoughts on “Grandma and the Red Umbrella”

  2. Oh I loved your grandma before from other poems where you included her. I can see her there with her brolly (new term for me but easy rolling off of the tongue.) She is a bright spot in a grey space and I’m sure you were the same for her ❤ Lovely poem, Kim.

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    1. Thank you, Jane. I won’t be writing anything for this month’s issue as I’m busy with Ellen and the grandsons this week, and after that I’m preparing for the Zoom launch of my pamphlet. Do you know when the final issue will be?

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  10. How present and alive that umbrella in your grandmother’s hand. Makes of weather a jolly prolly neighborly poem. Well done Kim. (Enjoy your birthday next week! We Leos love a good birthday roar.)

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