November – a #poem for Benji

Cold-comfort month:
the month after my mother’s death
foreshadowing my sister’s,  
that dark alley
and yet
into that darkness 
came brightest light: 
8 years ago
my eldest son 
born.
A new life 
begun, who
though he didn’t see the sun
for almost six months
radiated 
unadulterated
light within
and still, undimmed
in this darkest of seasons
shines a light:
transforms my winter-world
to wonderland
of birthday dreams
and Santa-schemes
and new hope brought to life.

Written for dVerse poetics. Sanaa is hosting tonight and has set us this task:

‘For today’s Poetics, I would like you to write a poem about November and tell us what it means to you. I aim for this prompt to be wide in scope. You can discuss what this month reminds you of, political or non-political. It can be a seasonal poem if you like. You can also use a painting for inspiration or perhaps a song. There are so many! As long as you stick to the parameters of the prompt, you are fine.’

When I told my eldest son the prompt was about November, he said ‘will you write a poem about my birthday?’ No pressure there, then! I hope I’ve done him justice. I find it hard to write poems about my family, not because they are unworthy subjects but perhaps because I worry that my words are not worthy of them. Anyway, this pretty much sums up what November means to me. The photo was taken just after Benji’s third birthday. And absolutely no politics as I’ve already done that today.