These were supposed to be countries of romance

Of beauty of the richness of life

But they descended into countries of sorrow and hate

 

Why have you printed that on your canvas Maude

It is for the summer exhibition Emily

 

I rather like it

You are very kind Julia

 

Do you think it will be accepted

I hope so as I do hate competition

It is all rather vulgar

 

Have you ever visited any of those countries Maude

Yes many years ago to visit the grave of my grandmother

 

I did not know that she was buried out there

Yes she is buried in Cambodia

 

She married a French chap and travelled there in 1931

But their farm failed for various reasons and then Rene died

 

But my grandmother stayed on with my mother and her brother

They almost starved and sometimes killed wading birds for food

 

Her son went almost native and vanished for long periods

But my mother stayed at her side ignoring many offers of marriage

 

Sadly my grandmother slowly lost her mind and one day just faded away

She was buried near the remains of her farm next to her husband

 

My mother returned to England soon afterwards and married Daddy

And when I was old enough she showed me her journal

 

These were supposed to be countries of romance

Of beauty of the richness of life

But they descended into countries of sorrow and hate

 

These are not my words but my mothers words

They are beautiful words which I cannot match

However I am an artist and will share my mothers thoughts

She is happy for me to do so as she was happy about my travelling

Her journals have suddenly become illuminated she has told me this

Amongst all the sad days there were many happy days

In a way I am glad that she never witnessed the awful wars

 

Will you return Maude

I doubt it

I have paid my respects to my grandparents

I have shared my mothers early years

I am an artist or at least I hope I am

That I think is enough

 

What are you going to call your work

Indochine

I have considered no other title

 

MFW