Auntie Poems

One Christmas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking of the voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve or whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six.
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Through every nook and every cranny
The wind blew in on poor old Granny
Around her knees, into each ear
(And up nose as well, I fear)
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Sitting in front of the fire, Auntie Flo's reciting a story,
it's one about her first Christmas as a newly wed,
the same one she broadcasts every year,
but no one is listening.
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On the fair green hills of Rio
There grows a fearful stain:
The poor who come to Rio
And can't go home again.
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Dirty game

Blaring voice and strong signal came
Message from boy aging 9 for playing game
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Father and Mother, and Me,
Sister and Auntie say
All the people like us are We,
And every one else is They.
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It is time for me to go, mother; I am going.
When in the paling darkness of the lonely dawn you stretch out
your arms for your baby in the bed, I shall say, "Baby is not
here!"-mother, I am going.
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My Uncle’s
old blue van

gone to seed now
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A Girl’s Reverie

Mother says, ‘Be in no hurry,
Marriage oft means care and worry.’
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Hi, when you are near towards us
In this amazing horizon,
Light has scattered in the atmosphere,
Your original face is creamed
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CRÚISCÍN...CÍSTÍN BAISE
(LITTLE JUG...LITTLE PALM CAKE*)

Auntie Mary’s
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My daddy calls me Will-dog.
PaPa calls me chief.
I’m always baby brother
to my sister - oh, good grief!
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He wouldn’t come out
of the closet

though she shouted
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You have suffered auntie long enough,
You were brave strong and tough.
The battle you fought was long and hard,
But it’s okay auntie let go and let God.
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The younger sister
Of the second wife
Of my dear friend
Of forty-five years
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O God - or may I call you Lord? –
I remember when I was a child,
You were my best friend, one who knew me
better than I knew myself;
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MY muvver's ist the nicest one
'At ever lived wiz folks;
She lets you have ze mostes' fun,
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I remembered I'd promised my Aunt Adele before she died
that I'd get in touch with her family in Oz
just to put matters to rest, since they'd not spoken for years
since she upped and went off with this Pom
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hugs kisses overwhelm 'you missed me! ' 'that I did, Nawa! ' this theme took turn found myself exasperatedly restricting, don't touch that don't go to cement concrete flooring arena, true building site full of dangers drawn to it he's amazing, to satiate curiosity led by hand showed what's going on, had to explore by himself went missing mother screamed losing sight, don't worry wouldn't hear brought him back displeased forlorn, restlessness gripped hard outlet must set predicament right, brothers scold denying independence holds his own thank God, Naol endowed with reasoning skill makes intentions clear, lolled in bed Namo unwell Nati just because then Nawa settled, found a way to engage wore tons of medallions took his picture, affectionate dear creative charmer auntie New Year best wish, risk taker like yourself land on suitable ground to flourish
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Sonnet. grandson of ወርቁ thriving Baba is back where he belong, the pillar so far granny's formidable personality influential, presence of cuz Negus precious Nebyu took under wing, for caring comes natural watching them auntie Helu marvel, empathy unfolds at sleepovers playing with cousins for days, bonding heightened both household fun activities all around, agemates Nebyu Nawa taking turns during games full of sparks, Ifa an old soul assuaging skill noble amiable admirable indeed, auntie Sariti prized guest delight lavished showers of love, inner child on full force auntie Timmy orchestrated play, the gathering at new place epitome of this year I believe, reunited unit heartily accommodate on sixth birthday, nephew Nebyu blessing to parents all who cross your path, may Saint Mary guide each step you take in faith
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With Auntie(Warwickshire)

We drove - only to have a look at you - just the few miles down the Fosse Way to the farm where you'd been born but, with our cheque book at the ready, we knew you'd be hard to resist. Named you then and there after Gerald Durrell's TV pet - ‘Roger' seemed a perfect fit. So, after your Mummy Sunshine's farewell lick (your Daddy being out working sheep)
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chauffeur rental car four in full gear dropped us off at auntie, welcoming cousins excitement infectious sleepover for days, cooking smell wafting mouth watering prepping up for the party, my turn to use kitchen modern time for cinnamon rolls, ingredients laid out boiled milk sugar baking powder eggs butter, flour in a bowl leavening agent present use spatula to combine, knead sometime let dough rise cover join group play for an hour, sweet voice of Nawa livens up the game still center of attention, flatten dough apply pressure for good measure rectangular shape emerge, lace with butter sprinkle aromatic spicy cinnamon powder spread evenly, roll in to a cylinder cut in to equal pieces let oven take charge, final touch eggwash the tops makes them golden brown crispier heavenly, baking with love favorite pastime add pastry chef to the list, Pom Queen patiently lovingly creates refining skills delightful talent
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owner of a car within a quarter unforgettable July, best birthday gift to self dedication to hard work paid off, checking out all those pictures at six months stay, marvelling as you browse imagining dream close enough, motivating sessions with uncle hear you chuckle hearty exchange, from this end he showed how it's done soothing voice influential, heart warming excitement after driving practice I happily gauge, nephew dear whole being engrossed found you behind the wheel, coach Eni on your case persistent guardian pushing you harder, supervision in prepping up for exam to acquire the license, dear sister to each one of you congratulations is in order, major supporters helping him to claim the future blessings, hours before flight taking Alem's Swift automobile for a spin, treasure first passengers auntie Nebyu big brother Jojo the veteran
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Happy birthday auntie Tigi quite a turn of event, important mission delivering niece to new place, extra special celebrating bonding to large extent, motherly advice your sister role you play express the campus, boarding school away from home marks new beginning, this experience does remind time you had in school, be fearless niece I almost hear you say obviously reminiscing, being perceptive weighs in heavily decision making channel, how proud this girl must be journeying to Bahir Dar, eager to discover life different from the sheltered cocoon, inherited strength sustain as she settle family is pillar, two guides by her side at university smooth registration, leader who paved the way woman who all dote on, enjoy bonus vacation in beautiful city all you can
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pregnant in grade eleven indignant dad inconsolable, had high hopes doted on you different from sisters, three abducted heavy burden auntie silently bore it all, whose at fault custom permitted previous Sunday I witness, thud snatched girl bajaj toppled caused near death, brother Bekele team of intervention to vehicle value given, consentual besides point still practiced ጥልፊያ harsh truth, will it become story of past who takes initiation, dear Diso mother of Felmeta direct energy end damaging image, you owe it to son future man the potential father, experienced ups downs highs lows of life at this stage, siblings many children low income be change maker, admirable vibrant woman courageous watched how you operate, go on start transforming village be an advocate
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shapely fingers plink plonking the keyboard in his own way, music room at disposal free to roam thank you teacher, writing on board chalk at hand expression on display, delighted to see Miss Kassech hugs kisses he showered on her, runned to heart's content friend for the day seven year-old, made me go upstairs number of times won't take no, gets his way no matter what conversational sweetness aboard, inquisitive that he's posing important questions you know, picture time Nathan with mates drew near phone out, auntie back off dismayed let third sibling photograph, would you believe outrageous discrediting little big talent, exact words Nawa wouldn't get right angles what a laugh, free spirited dear nephew happy birthdate buzzing so energetic, eager to discover more striver you're on versatile track
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Nephews on Tuesday morning at ጨፌ stadium enjoyed sun, noticed Eyu in the yard maybe bored ቡቺ fooling about, members would've caused havoc on harmless canine, say athletic teen join me in run mother gave consent, heard door open here we go again but then nothing strange, who's in there in annoyance wasn't audible, came face to face waiting turn at close range, brightened greeted early riser relief took toll, Abelo sprang up count me in agreed sleepy sister, dress up for weather disregarding his protest, at the field royal treatment blaring humongous speaker, Strava on auntie led the way brothers followed suit, visitors at most ease kicking ball making friends, blessings to all unforgettable stay in Addis
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Nawa shares same eyes auntie's Kuto's pictures tell, leafing through similarity struck leaving me in awe, four years five months, child, history came full circle, September journey ancestors abode stay decisive flow, moved about with ease bumps of place not problem, Koda Ketsa at disposal to roam bonding with brothers cousins, noticed physical change as they tossed you from arm to arm, prize boy in the clan engaging charm magnified presence precious, reminisced about childhood your granddad not so loud, joggling brought out going about your business memories abuzz, Kidane Mihret day Boddo Gebeya holiday spirit you witnessed, draping dinguza TEMAKESO ceremony evening breeze not a sneeze, back to city home sweet home that hand gesture touching, KG scholar life lessons within grasp in abundance keep on enterprising
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