Delia Southern 1940 - 2023

“Mum” by Val Southern (written for her 80th birthday in 2020)

Blue sparkles reveal wit and mischief
Frank, sincere words offer advice and guidance
Generous gifter, reluctant receiver
Hidden talents defy preconceptions
Unconditional loyalty cements everlasting bonds
Soft, warm embrace magically eases sadness or pain
Constantly inspiring independent thought

“No regrets”,
by Delia Southern (with last two lines by Christina Rossetti)

I am dead
Not passed away, gone before, gone ahead,
Just dead.
Loving you has been
The most important part of my life,
Being your mother and your wife,
But not the only pleasures;
I have had other treasures
And so it is with you.
Forgive me; I have left undone
Things which ought to have been done.
And so did you, but forgive yourselves too;
It is most essential that you do!
Get on with life. Cry a little, if you must,
But dump regrets down with the dust.
Remember once in a while the pleasant times we had,
But “Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.”