Two Poems by Philomena Drummond nee Chaumont (Pat's mother)

Related Song Goodbye My Restless Child

and 'Grandma's Eyes' (Laughter Like A Shield 1993)

The Master Weaver
Philomena Chaumont

On the Threshold of Life's fair dawning, with outstretched hand He stood,
In the pearly mists of morning, when my soul was pure and good
His manner was kind and gentle as he gazed at me tenderly
And in tones of unrivalled sweetness, He said "Come follow me"

II

Down a narrow pathway He led me, far from the Broad Highway
To a workshop where men were weaving, unceasingly night and day
And as at the Door I faltered, afraid to intrude beyond
He smilingly bade me enter so I hastened to respond

III

Through that workshop I passed unheeded, no one had eyes for me
All turned to Master Craftsman and gazed at Him eagerly
What of Today's Endeavour, what colours would He choose
For each Individual pattern - sombre or sunlit hues

IV

Some longed for a splash of contrast, monotony to dispel
From others a prayer was rising "Let us today work well."
And many a heart was aching for a rainbow thread or two
To brighten the dismal background of the weaving they had to do

V

He opened the door of a closet, and in wonder I held my breath
As methodically He sorted the colours of Life and Death
The azure of calm Serenity, the royal purple of Pain
The golden and rose of Rapture and the Black of Dispair's Domain

VI

Then to the workers he tendered, the threads He would have them use
"Weave under my direction friends, not as you would choose
You cannot view the Pattern from behind the Loom" He said
"Someday you shall see it clearly, when you've woven the last long thread"

VII

Then with measured tread He led me to an idle loom nearby
"You too, must commence a pattern, take now the threads and try
And remember my child, work wisely with the skill that will come with time
For 'tis part of a great Mosaic, part of a grand Design

VII

And so we labour in patience, throughout the passing years
With fingers and hearts that are weary, and eyes oft dimmed by tears
That when the Pattern is finished, and the course of our Lives has run
From the lips of The Master Weaver may resound the praise"Well done!"

11/10/42 (Maria Chaumont, her mother's birthday)

Time

Philomena Chaumont

Proceeding Creation's Dawn,Thou issued forth!
From out the realm of Infinity
Commencing a course that down the Ages runs
Unerringly --- it's goal Eternity
And in Thy blind and heedless headlong flight
that one consistant pace, that tireless tread
That steals away the hours, turns day to night
Thy unrelenting hand turns quick to dead

II

Surely some lone imperitive must whisper
"See that Thou tarriest not upon the way
to garner treasures, nor to pander to
The pleading masses who would have thee stay
That they might hold, forever, down the years
What thou, in passing, brings them for today
But carry with thee - leaving naught but fears
and vain regrets and lonliness and tears

III

Yet, as our joys we wistfully surrender
And watch Thy passing o'er some distant hill
From out Thy footprints rises, sweet and tender
The blossoms Memory calls forth to fill
The barren way. And with her loving fingers
Gently and soothingly, She fills the void
Then leads us onward to the Vision Splendid
Where happiness and joy are unalloyed

24/8/42 For Barrie

Back to Goodbye My Restless Child / Chess Set Homepage / The Age Of Dissent / The Descent Of Age

---