My apologies to those readers who are not fond of poetry and my thanks to those of you who have asked for more of my poems!     

WINDOWS

A window is a useful thing which lets you see the view
Which may be dark and colourless or bright with rainbow’s hue!

Likewise the windows of the mind help you examine people
Some have spirits hard and flat, some soar like a steeple!

Some characters are music less, they never sing a note
Whilst others are so full of fun they help the whole world float.

With them you rise above the clouds and everyday is fine
Everything they touch is magic, even water tastes like wine!

So keep your vision open, then you’ll know when friends are near
Perhaps not in person but inside to bring you cheer!

Why did I choose to write about windows? I love them framing moving pictures better than some works of art.

In France our windows showed the crashing rollers of the Atlantis with balls of foam spattering them at times. It was entirely different on the French Riviera, luxury cruise ships and a rippling Mediterranean.

I adore stained glass windows, how inspiring in our churches. However my favourite window in Frenchay church is the east window over the altar, which now has plain glass,

Apparently it previously featured stained glass which suffered damage in World War II and had to be replaced. Why am I so fond of it? Through the glass you can see a beautiful cedar tree. If this Christmas we are lucky enough to have snow the branches will be out-lined in silvery white. Absolute magic!

I wish you all a glistening Christmas,                                                                                   
Esmé

What a title! I expect that it will soon be self explanatory.

People often telephone me when they are feeling “down”. It makes me feel very privileged because it means that they trust me to be discreet. I never tell them that they have nothing to feel depressed about or that there are people worse off than they are. How would that help them? Instead I usually explain what I would do.
 
I’m writing this alone in my Downend flat and it is a Saturday evening. I remember what would be happening in years past when my husband and I lived on the Cȏte d’Azur. We would most likely be in the Club House. A water taxi would have taken us there across the port with lights twinkling in the water. At a table on the terrace we would have enjoyed a delicious meal and live entertainment. We shared the table with our friends and neighbours, one of whom was an opera singer from the Paris Opera, and he often sang. How we laughed! If we weren’t there we were on friends’ roof terraces. They often had outside caterers and entertainment.
 
Do I wish I was there now? Of course I do! However what is the good of wishing? I’m grateful not only for what we had but for what I have now. I’ve given two lunch parties this week and my guests kindly brought me presents. I’ve just opened a lovely bottle of wine and a delicious box of chocolates. I have “Poldark” to look forward to (Aidan Turner looks just like my husband did!) and Victoria is good too. My advice if you feel low is to treat yourself. You deserve it and you will soon feel better.
               
I’m thinking of you,
Esmé