Grace Atkinson Farnborough, Lerwick, UK

I was born 3 June 1941 in Swansea. I am a housewife, mother, and grandmother to three wonderful children, Margaret Anne, George Duncan, and Daphne Marie, and a granddaughter, Olivia Claire. My husband is Brian Atkinson. We have been married for twenty-seven years. We enjoy tending our flower garden together. I belong to the RSPCA and the International Society of Poets. I also do voluntary work in a local hospital. My poetry comes from the heart, and is sometimes the only way I can express my feelings. I hope that people who read my poetry can identify with those feelings.

Contentment Samantha sits upon the hearth And, basking in its glowing warmth, She polishes the silken fur That covers every inch of her From ears to tail and in between Until it has a lustrous sheen. She stretches then, without a pause, And flexes in and out her claws And looks around the room as though Deciding where she next will go. I beckon her to come to me And she jumps up upon my knee. I stroke her warm and silky fur As loudly she begins to purr. She settles in as if to doze, Her copper eyes so slowly close And holding her upon my knee We both slip into reverie. For what she gives she asks not much A dish of food, a loving touch; There is no other creature that Brings one contentment like a cat.

Empty Nest My last child left out on her own The time has finally come; I never thought I'd be alone Since first I was a mum. Odd stockings on the carpet Are strewn about no more; The coats are neatly hung on pegs And no one slams the door. The banister the lads would slide Is now collecting dust; The bicycles they used to ride Are overcome by rust. There's always some left over When I make a pot of stew; And morning's so much simpler With no queue to use the loo! The house that was so busy Is quiet for a change; Without the children's laughter I find it very strange. I'm told I'll learn to like it But I think they are wrong; I cannot wait until the day Grandchildren come along!

Grace welcomes E-mail at: Diversity@aol.com

All poems Copyright © 1996 Grace Atkinson. All rights reserved.