NANCY

by Jack Crompton (1995)

Sunny hair and laughing eyes

thoughtful words that speak no lies

I’ve watched you grow from very young

into the woman you’ve become

My big sister teased and played

annoyed me in so many ways

When I was small you dressed me swell

in a pretty pink dress, and all was well

until Dad came home, to his dismay

and saved his son from turning gay

A sailing port where our lives started

harbor memories never departed

Adventures with close family friends

Banana splits, bonfires, fire engines

Grampa’s footsteps up the stairs

meant a ‘mouselling’ for us to bear

and Easter will never be the same

without those cakes of Gramma’s fame

Hot summer’s day at Rahway Pool

the ghastly sight of a floating stool

A bizarre trip with Mom and Dad

Sulphur, sweat & and flying ‘knads

I have always known you cared for me

from the days when I lost Whitey

and that fateful night when Heidi died

you shared with me an anguished cry

As I watched three years behind

I tried to learn from you in kind

You always seemed to know the score

of what things were and what they’re for

Products of the sixties, we

I felt you looking out for me

Days of fear and change and dope

brought challenges for all to cope

Assembly line and college life

initiation to the role of wife

a hospital in the freezing cold

saw another side of life unfold

A good mom and wife you were, I know

but with this man you could not grow

I saw your face that empty day

your feelings dead, no more to say

MORE WORDS:

ESSAYS

MUSIC REVIEWS
FILM REVIEWS

POEMS

QUOTES

Willing to step beyond the pain

you chose a path that leads to change

Your precious children sublimely still

bear testament to God’s curious will

While one door shuts, another’s there

in a patch of blueberries, of all places, where

A golfer chases his errant slice

and stumbles upon his future wife

A whirlwind romance, exotic trips

opens up a direction shift

with a kind, bright man who loves you strong

more family would not be long

Intention change, two miracles

now fills your home with bellows, giggles

Yes, for my sister I have respect

and if I have but one regret

It’s that I have not often shown

what’s in my heart and made it known

When I was hurt, you were there

to listen, comfort and ease despair

Of pain I’ve shown you far too much

but never were you out of touch

Perceptive words, you always give

and artful care to where you live

One look around your home will see

the evidence of your creativity

So, now you live on Donna Bay

and sailboats glide ‘neath sunny days

A goal realized, a dream achieved

provides the frame from next to weave

And so the wheels of life do turn

we move on, the ashes burn

Like the phoenix bird of my city’s name

from a shattered life I seek to claim

But one small place beneath the sun

and peace when my day’s work is done

I too, start another phase

a flame within to guide my way

This broken heart with love will mend

and I will laugh with joy again

For nothing real is ever lost

no matter what the pain or cost

It’s ‘who we are’ we bring along

when our days upon this earth are gone

Expensive gifts I cannot give

but these true words in my heart live:

Oh sister Nan, my love I send

to you and Ed, your family den

Know that you will always be

linked to my heart eternally

Jack Crompton

Scottsdale, AZ

Christmas, 1995