Discord in Childhood
~ DH Lawrence
Outside the house an ash-tree hung its terrible whips,
And at night when the wind arose, the lash of the tree
Shrieked and slashed the wind, as a ship’s
Weird rigging in a storm shrieks hideously.
Within the house two voices arose in anger, a slender lash
Whistling delirious rage, and the dreadful sound
Of a thick lash booming and bruising, until it drowned
The other voice in a silence of blood, ’neath the noise of the ash.
***
Still on the cusp of change with uncertainty whistling around in a delirious rage {in my head at 4.00 am} when not diverted by the practicalities of the school/work routine. My mind is also racing with plans for three home-hosted birthday parties in close succession. I managed to survive the first this weekend with a delightful bunch of eight-year-old girls and a husband stoically on duty by the oven warming party pies and sausage rolls. The Nigella Feasts classic chocolate cake with sour cream icing was a hit, and thankfully looked presentable adorned with delicate flower confections and pastel candles. My theory is that if the cake's OK, it will all turn out fine. As it did. Sometimes you just need to close the oven door and trust the universe.
