A Romany Pairing – a poem by Dee Cooper
She washed in streams.
Sunlit kisses of light
that gently warmed the ripples of soft waves.
He gathered wood, in evening shadows amongst shady trees.
Far from the peering of prying eyes
He lit the yog, blowing against kindling until the flame flickered in night skies.
She peeled carrots and onions.
Chopped leeks, on a small walnut board,
that rested over her lace pinny that gathered against her tired legs.
She filled the belly pot that hung from the chitty irons.
Where water bubbled high from the crackling logs underneath.
He sat on the steps of the Vardo.
Admiring his love
Her long dark hair shimmering as stars shone from above.
He cleaned the Shushi.
Skinning it with precision,
Handing her the meat, his contribution to the pot.
She made comfort, in their sparse surroundings,
A kushti Gypsy stew
Made with love for fine taste.
She sang tenderly.
As his bow glided over the strings of his fiddle
A Romany pairing entwined.
Words and photographs © Dee Cooper 2024
Glossary
Yog – Fire
Chitty Irons – Iron Tripod
Vardo – Gypsy Wagon
Shushi – Rabbit
Kushti – Good