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