A Spell for Sleeplessness..Planning a Victorian Evening

My Mum is planning a Victorian evening for her sister,brother in law,a good friend and my youngest brother.
As is typical of her she is planning every detail and making sure she creates the perfect ambiance for her guests.
The menu sounds so delicious I feel I will have to gatecrash!

Last night my husband attached two beautiful chandeliers to Mum's light fixtures.
They looked exquisite with their dangling crystal appendages swirling delicately.
Infact the chandeliers were bough inexpensively on ebay and are infact acrilic but you would never know!
An example of Mum's clever budgeting and forward planning!
Even the table will be adorned with pretty ribbon, foliage and flowers and meats will have (sterilized) partridge plummage, just as the Victorians would have done.
There are several things that will be on the table which I had never heard of.
For example an epergne. This is a glass decoration usually made of several "stems".
Examples can be seen on ebay and Mum's favourite was selling for £550! If only I could buy it for her!

Mum has also bought some garments online so that she and my brother can dress in the correct style for the era.
I cant wait to see pictures of them both. I'm sure my brother will look the part in his smoking jacket and cap and Mum with her apron and long skirt ready to be whipped off after cooking the meal. The apron of course I hasten to add!

Later in the evening Mum will recite a poem she has written herself.
I think it is absolutely wonderful and thought provoking and I wish Mum would believe me when I praise her many pieces of writing..she has a natural gift whether aware of it or not.

I'm sure many will relate to the sentiments especially busy Mums.
Its certainly made me think..

Please enjoy Mum's poem and feel free to comment in any way you choose.

Spell for Sleeplessness ~ Virginia Stungo

At night when I am tired but cannot sleep
I take up an imaginary witch’s broom
Not for evil magic or a moonlight leap
But to sweep away the thoughts of gloom
For every part of my untidy mind
Is layered with litter from the day
A place to burn it I must find
I cannot rest if I delay
* * *
Harsh words, black looks or tasks evaded
Angry thoughts when peace invaded
Pleas for help I did not heed
Or did so at disgruntled speed
Loved ones I let drift away
To leave a lonely price to pay
And Conscience, like the Bard, reminds
Love changes not when it changes finds

Letters that I’ve failed to write
Will focus now to haunt the night
My cool indifference to friends
With no attempt to make amends
Then family quarrels, broken trust
And echoes of “unkind, unjust!”
Are followed by remorse, regret -
Such pointless states it seems and yet…
I could have turned these things around
That now lie in this grave-like mound
These wasted hours that on reflection
Return my selfish introspection

But now the fire is Guy Fawkes high
The besom rests, I breathe a sigh
I’m drowsy now, I light the flame
To sleep while it destroys my shame
I close my eyes, I need not see
My book will burn and I am free
By sunrise all these thoughts once cursed
Have turned to ash and been dispersed
Are lifted up and blown away
To make way for a better day.