Newsletter for Childless Parents, Spring 2021

Newsletter for Childless Parents | www.tcf.org.uk 7 I am listening to Desert Island Discs. The guest makes her first choice: Somewhere, over the Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz. I too have a choice: I can turn the radio off, and  with it, my pain. Or I can listen, let the pain wash over me allow the tears to flow… I am lying in the bath, in the bathroom of our first home. Across the landing, in the small nursery, your father is soothing you to sleep. I imagine him stroking your head, which you loved us to do, And playing the little wind up musical box, over and over again. I can hear the soft notes, unfolding the theme, Somewhere, over the Rainbow… On the radio, the beautiful voice sings; Somewhere, over the Rainbow Way up high, There’s a place that I dreamed of Once, in a lullaby. My darling, if only I could fly over that rainbow, and wake, as the song says to find you, beside me. Instead I will search for the rainbow’s end… And you. © Gill Hartley Proceeds from the sale of my books are donated to TCF. Visit www.tcf.org.uk/shop Rainbow’s End