Maggie Harris

Blessed

Blessed be the children and grandchildren, clutter in my front room
Blessed be forty-year old sisters still borrowing frocks and shoes
Blessed be my mother and her Tesco’s carrier bags
Blessed be my lover swapping red wine for fags
Blessed be girlfriends especially those who cook
Blessed be fellow writers, always plugging their books
Blessed be sunshine, a Caribbean fable
Blessed be ready meals, from microwave to table
Blessed be holidays, gypsies on the hoof
Blessed be rain pinging on the conservatory roof
Blessed be this island, my South Coast retreat
Blessed be this England where I landed on my feet.

Hilda Vekony

Maggie Harris

Binecuvantati

Binecuvantati fie copiii si nepotii, zarva din salonul meu,
Binecuvantate fie surorile care, la patruzeci de ani, inca imprumuta rochii si pantofi,
Binecuvantata mama, care isi cara cumparaturile de la Tesco in sacosa,
Binecuvantat fie iubitul meu, care cumpara tigari in loc de vin rosu,
Binecuvantate fie iubitele, mai ales cele care gatesc,
Binecuvantati fie colegii mei scriitori care isi fac reclama la carti,
Binecuvantata fie lumina soarelui, o poveste caraibiana,
Binecuvantate fie mesele din semipreparate, de la microunda la masa,
Binecuvantate fie vacantele, tiganii calatori,
Binecuvantata fie ploaia care picura pe acoperisul de sticla,
Binecuvantata fie aceasta insula, adapostul meu de pe Coasta de Sud,
Binecuvantata fie aceasta Anglie unde am crescut.