REMEMBERING JO




Today we say goodbye to our dear friend Jo who died in January after a long period of illness. Jo was an extraordinary woman, generous, funny, compassionate, great company, a good friend, a loving partner to Jim and dearly loved by all her family and friends.  She worked for many years as a nurse in intensive care, helping to save lives and sooth minds with her thoughtful, caring manner. She was also an amazing artist and I am fortunate to have a wonderful painting she did for us after a visit to Spain hanging in my living room.


A week before Jo’s death, unaware that her condition had worsened, I was stuck with a bit of writing and found myself staring at the painting, as I so often do. I wrote this short poem about my thoughts and sent it off to Jo. She didn’t get to read the poem but I know she knew how much we loved her. Her art and our shared memories will keep her with us.


I cannot be at Jo’s funeral today but send my love to all her family and her many friends. Our lives were enriched by knowing Jo.
 


JO’S PAINTING
 


At very best my words may
idle round your consciousness,
provoke a twinge of recognition,
before lodging in lost words of time.

Your painting lives with me,
looks over as we rest or read
or sneak a meal on balanced
knee in front of a winter fire.

The turquoise star flowers bring
sky to a room locked in by walls,
named in toddler’s first words,
arm stretched pointing, ‘ower’.

Terracota shades reflect rich earth,
wine fruiting, seed bearing
giving form to swirling fronds,
rising spirals of life’s circle.

The whole, illuminated
with golden touch of sunshine,
reminds me daily of your gift,
given and received with love.


© 2018 Jacqueline Claire Knight.  All rights reserved. 



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