My Wordly Wealth

Heather Williamson

Poetry on roots, love, life and faith

Tag: nostalgia

  • Advent calendar

    When I was a child, I recall that among the Christmas decorations, there was an advent calendar that came out every year. I loved it. Not only did I look forward to Christmas, but I remembered all the happy Christmases that had gone before…. The best advent calendars don’t have chocolates in them.The cardboard nativity… Read.

  • Nativity

    Tinselly haloesAnd poorly made tunicsTied at the waistWith Dad’s dressing gown beltAnd lisps of “Away -Away in a manger”Sung by small shepherds Who fervently kneltMum and Dad sniffingAnd quietly recordingTo show to the familyLater that dayAnd little Lord JesusNot crying but wrapped upIn somebody’s tea towelHead first in the hayWhat is it that brings usThe… Read.

  • At my most childlike

    I am at my most childlikeat the onset of autumn.The first crisp morning brings goosebumpscaused not by cold airbut by anticipation.I hunt through cupboards for jumpers, boots and scarves – packed away hurriedly in the search for flip-flops and sandalsjust a few months ago – but now drawn out and greeted againas old friends.The air… Read.

  • On the train home from London

    I am fascinated by nostalgia. As CS Lewis wrote in his book The Weight of Glory, a person managing to travel back to a time long ago, whose memory was very sweet, “would not have found the thing itself, but only the reminder of it.” In German the word ‘sehnsucht’ sums up this sense of… Read.

  • Navenby

    Our lovely first home together. Too small for a growing family, and in need of many renovations, but dearly loved and remembered. I think the many dreams and the continued longing come from the fact that we had to move away – and that it was with a brand new baby. Rather traumatic perhaps, but… Read.

  • When I sleep

    Why, when I sleep, do I returnLike a wound never healedTo a home I used to know?I walk the roomsAnd pick up trinketsNow covered in dustThat were once precious to meI stuff my pockets with themThinking “I am so gladI got to come backOne more time – To take away the treasure That meant so… Read.

  • Past Perfect

    It is in the bones of meThis placeThe great flat And the open skyThe twist of a lane To my homeThe stone walls of my cottageI loved this place thenButI had already lovedThis place beforeIn the daysWhen everything existedIn my mindSo much largerThan realityWhen snowdriftsStill closed schoolsAnd I was safe in my parents’ loveAnd the… Read.

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