Certain Greys

Eulogy's poet laureate, Francesca Cacciarru, has created - exclusively for Eulogy - a sequence of poems exploring the power of memory. Focusing on the key motif of a memory of a deceased loved one, this first poem seeks to find light where upon first glance there appears to be none.

She didn't speak much

but when she laughed

she laughed

in such a way,

like sparkling waves

of lukewarm foam.

The known road home

was wet and lit in yellow shine

and as we walked she’d wonder why

most people dislike rain.

There is no gloom in certain greys,

she’d say.

I’m sure there is, I’d disagree.

I’d stiffen up, stagger slightly and refuse to face it -

let alone accept it - and always,

at this point,

the last bit of the way became too steep.

We’d both quieten and I’d just tighten

my grip on her.

If there’s one thing we need -

one only - above all,

it is the unfailing fall of rain.

The water’s ceaseless flow

that grows the grass and brings the grace

of life. And life has brought

your waves of laugh.

Today I see that she

was right.

There is no gloom

in certain greys.

If you are interested in contributing your creative writing to Eulogy, contact Joel de Lara:

joel.delara@eulogymagazine.co.uk