The English Journey

      
       ABOUT THE POEM

The persona captured two images of her adoptive grandmother -one seen in the photograph when the persona was three years old and another image of her grandmother as the lady became older and finally passed away. The persona resonates with the memories of many young people who have lost their beloved grandparents. 

        THEME

1. Appreciation and affection for a grandparent

2. Search for the persona's identity

3. The mystery of ageing and death

4. Filial piety ( Virtue respect for one's ancestor )

    

The Living Photograph

My small grandmother is tall there,

straight-back,white broderie anglaise shirt,

pleated skirt, flat shoes, grey bun,

a kind, old smile round her eyes.

Her big hand holds mine,

white hand in black hand.

her sharp blue eyes look her own death in the eye.

It was true after all; that look.

My tall grandmother became small.

Her back round and hunched.

Her soup forgot to boil.

She went to awful place grandmothers go.

Somewhere unknown, unthinkable.

But there she is still,

in the photo with me at three,

the crinkled smile is still living, breathing.

Jackie Kay