Lexie Emery <br />(no, she's Blake now, of course) ... <br /> <br />Hadn't seen her for years <br />- fifty to be precise - <br />It was the reunion of the drama group, <br />couldn't believe she was still with us. <br />Recognized the awful voice, <br />deep, <br />noisily penetrating. <br /> <br />She used to play piano, <br />belting out familiar tunes <br />with more enthusiasm <br />than accuracy. <br />Mum used to say <br />'I wish she'd use a few more chords.' <br /> <br />She also trod the boards of the old hall <br />with great ebullience, <br />memorable as the headmistress <br />in 'The Happiest Days of you Life', <br />eyebrows drawn on with black pencil, <br />rough as bags. <br />Audiences loved her. <br /> <br />Her second child was born at home <br />Mum told me, <br />delivered her on the floor by herself - <br />Such a plain baby... <br /> <br />Re-married after John died <br />(suddenly of a heart attack) - <br />a younger man, <br />much younger, <br />'So embarrassing, <br />but he really adores me, ' she said. <br /> <br />Funny, she outlived him as well... <br /> <br />I promised I'd visit, <br />put her number in my phone. <br />I must give her a ring - <br />I suppose she won't be around for much longer...<br /><br />Alison Cassidy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lexie/
