Poems of Petals, Poodles and Prayers: Poems by Ivy Berry - Compiled and Illustrated by Chris J Berry

By Ivy Berry

This small book of poems was written by my mother, and dates back from the early to mid years of her life. Undoubtedly, scholars in the art of poetry may consider them as sweet, but not classical? more traditional in style. There is a long history attached to them that is reflected in their themes. During those days, it was generally understood that the woman of the household managed the affairs of the home; earning a little money where she could to help feed the family. In my parents case, like so many in that time, it placed intolerable pressures on them. My mother gained a lot of relief in writing her poetry. When I read some of her fantasies, I sense how she longs to step into the environments she creates, and get away from the drudgery in life. With Father working long hours, she emulates her pets in her writing as real companions, and finally, as a respite from her loneliness, turns to religion for a little comfort.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 31, 2009
• ISBN: 9781452089799

Ivy Berry

Ivy Berry was the youngest of seven daughters, and lovingly cherished by her elder sisters. She was particularly close to a younger brother who was tragically killed on the beaches of Anzio during The Second World War. Included in her book, there is a poem written by him while on the troop-carrier, and one she wrote in response. One cannot help but speculate on where their talents could have led them, had he lived. Sincere in her beliefs, and love of animals, she maps her way through life and bequeaths to her family,this modest, poetic record of events that touched her life.

Book preview

© 2009 Ivy Berry. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/26/2009

ISBN: 978-1-4389-3835-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-8979-9 (e)

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

PREFACE

POEMS OF

PETALS, POODLES AND PRAYERS

CLOUDS

CLOUDS

PRECIOUS LOVE

MY TRUSTY FRIENDS

MY TRUSTY FRIENDS

AUTUMN

AUTUMN

THE RUSTIC SEAT

THE RUSTIC SEAT

FLORAL TRIBUTE

FLORAL TRIBUTE

NIGHT

NIGHT

DAYDREAMS AND FANTASY

DAYDREAMS AND FANTASY

MY RAINBOWS END

MY RAINBOWS END

AUTUMN FANTASY

AUTUMN FANTASY

LONELINESS

A PRAYER FOR HELP

A PRAYER FOR HELP

TREASURES

JEZABELLE

JEZABELLE

THE OPEN DOOR

STOLEN REFLECTIONS

STOLEN REFLECTIONS

MY CHOCOLATE POODLE

MY CHOCOLATE POODLE

MY GARDEN

MY GARDEN

CHRISTMAS LONG AGO

THE SEA

THE SEA

BELLA

BELLA

SPRING SONG

SPRING SONG

THE HAPPY DAYS

THE HAPPY DAYS

ODE TO POPSY

ODE TO POPSY

DAMIAN’S PRAYER

DAMIAN’S PRAYER

TEMPTATION

TEMPTATION

THE CRYSTAL POOL

THE CRYSTAL POOL

WHY?

WHY?

THE LETTER

THE WORLD IS YOURS

HOSPITAL VISIT

LOST OPPORTUNITIES

LOST OPPORTUNITIES

SUNRISE

SUNRISE

THE BOOK OF LIFE

THE BOOK OF LIFE

MY DREAM ETERNAL

A PRAYER OF THANKFULNESS

A PRAYER OF THANKFULNESS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PUBLISHED WORKS BY CHRIS J. BERRY

INTRODUCTION

This small book of poems was written by my mother, and dates back over a period of some forty to fifty years. Undoubtedly, scholars in the art of poetry may consider them to be sweet, but not classical - more traditional in style. However, there is a long history attached to them that is reflected in their themes. In this introduction, I seek to enlighten potential readers on the events in my mother’s life that influenced her to write them.

      It was common knowledge, within our family circle, of the fortunes that slipped through my father’s fingers. He was a clever man, but somewhat irresponsible where the management of money was concerned. He spent copious fortunes on extravagant hobbies such as, flying, archery, and various other expensive sports. These statements may paint a singular picture of my father’s character, and overshadow what he did for us in later life. In the succeeding years, he more than made up for his extravagance, leaving his family secure in a future where the increasing cost of living could have caused them great hardship.

      During those days, it was generally understood that the woman of the household managed the affairs of the home, earning what little money she could to help feed the family. Mother’s wages were pitiful, having to hold down three or four jobs in the week to subsidise the periods when housekeeping was minimal. The pressures in her life became unbearable; Father, the majority of the time, out on jobs. My sister and I were too young to understand; ignorant of her true situation, we made constant demands on her.

      There seeming to be no respite from the drudgery in her life, she turned to her poetry. In some of her fantasies, one can sense how she loses herself in them; seeming to step into the environments she creates to briefly experience their tranquillity, so different from her every day life-style. But she was not without her companions, and emulates them in her poetry. The pets in her life provided real relationships that she drew on constantly, and were always there to welcome her home after a hard days work.

      But, on occasion, not even their devotion to her could breach the debilitating migraines she was prone to, during those times. Father would often receive a phone call from the local bus company to come and pick Mother up, she, unable to cope with the vibrations of the bus in motion. It