Shadows Of  Joy

 I lay in my bed, propped up with soft pillows.

Dusk has come and moonlight fills the room.

Hints of colour from the day reflected in my ancient eyes.

 I see my brothers and sisters hunting crabs on the white sandy beach

Under moist heat of the early morning sun

I hear our laughter as faint as the whispering breeze in the palm trees

 I see my passage across the seas – flying high

From the Caribbean heat to the harsh glare of the English winter

More sisters and brothers, new friends, more family

 My children pass before me one by one

As my jewels begin their journey of life

From first opening of their eyes to their own young ones joining them

My wives, my lovers – so many smiling faces pass before me

So much joy to behold in this room as the moonbeams come flooding in

Dear friends long gone – now they are here

Some still in uniform some with a drink in their hands

All smiling all laughing   -  all so happy

Adversaries are friends once more

 One dear friend calls out to me with his broad accent of the islands

“Man, what are ya waitin for, there’s a game on and you’re invited to partner the Big Man”

So now I know

Those Shadows of Joy were no ordinary dreams for there

Was nothing of all the pain I’ve seen and suffered

It is the joy in my life, the love that I have given

Those that I’ve helped whether they knew it or not

All my shadows of joy brought before me once more

A rich life, a full life not an angry or wasted life of greed

My accomplishments were seen in the light of the eyes of my

Shadows of Joy

Now I join my past – travelling towards the moonlight

And a game

By C. Cattrell 02.02.08