The Union

I

I still believe that magical creatures lived there
Angels in the stone garden and hanging from the rafters 
A fairy that placed Chomps on our pillows 
Who-knows-what in the nooks of Nan’s downstairs studio
Father Christmas in the roof above my grandparents’ bed

In that bed, with the most delicious linen,
Nan read to us
The Enormous Crocodile 
The Rainbow Fish
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
As rain pelted the metal roof, 
Composing my cosiest feeling in the world to date

The Simonstown House: a cosy house, 
A Holy House, a House of Safety
Of Christmases and birthdays and Christenings
Of Martin, Regina, Father Bram and Rosie
Of Basil and Wendy next door

A House of dominos around the table 
And colourful, loving meals:

Jim-made spag bog with weird vegetables
Followed by coffee cake, apple crumble or minced pies

For breakfast, pawpaw with blueberries and lemon
Then cereal then croissants then eggs (then presents)

II

A House of family 
Of visitors and piano playing
Of Emma and Nell and Maggie-May

A House of painting and baking
Lectures and "Have you Read the Catechism?"
Of rituals and books and rooibos tea

A House of xylophone and trumpet, 
Pillow forts and rugby-watching
Of table-setting, candle-lighting and hide 'n seek

A House of braais and nail-painting
Zerbert-blowing and lego-building
Of rhymes, prayers and daily swims in the sea

III 

200 years old, 
Nan’s artwork
Jim’s history lesson

A Famous 5 House, a gaze-at-the-sea House
Collecting testaments to life’s adventures

A Home that Felt and Breathed

IV 

Recently, Nan told me that she wanders 
the rooms when she closes her eyes

I said I do the same 
and I reach out my heart’s hands to those who have known –
Her and Home -

Because after all that has changed and been lost,
That place of Safety and Spirit still exists 
in her, loving
Holding, guiding

V

And with all that still lives and is to come,
We can visit in our dreams -
It and them – 
Held and guided, too,

Safe in Spirit and Love
Home to all manners of Reunion