Quiet Moments

It is a quiet place, special, a place kept secret, not shared,
and it will be this way forever perhaps
as I feel not the need to burden others with my thoughts, feelings.
With the passing of time and my " healing"
visits there are becoming less frequent,
not because I love, care, less than before
but more so because the pain has subsided,
eased to the point where memories are now smiles,
smiles that are seldom, if ever, accompanied by tears,
and now, unlike when she was living,
when routine was the bedrock of her life
I need not phone in advance to make a date
I can turn up any time, unannounced,
just drop in to sit, look, remember...

" I'll come back as a Robin" she used to say
" to keep an eye, make sure you are behaving"
then she would laugh, sip her tea.
Tears came easily with the first Robin sighted
and the second, third, but they are now met with a smile
and visions of her sitting hunched in her favourite chair,
a part started crossword on her lap
the words within painstakingly written, some not finished...

I smile as I write this, bid her goodbye,
then leave until the next time.

Author's Note

For whatever reason the original post of this has vanished from my page along with all comments etc, so if this seems familiar, it is :))

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Has been said that the blood red on the Robin's breast is based on a myth: the robin was initially a simple and plain bodied bird but - one with a distinct call. Thus the creation gave it a highly visible stain to show the world that cruelty and indifference stains the most innocent.

Your beautiful words - among the most gently laid I've read in the Cafe.. should be kept forever, remembered and treasured, Gee. Emotions, simple feelings, need be seen as well as felt: why not via the sight of a creature that can be heard by any and everybody. Thank you so very much for sharing.

Wishing you and your dear family love, peace, pleasure and hugs galore.

[Curly Grace]

Gee, this is such a soft and beautifully honest piece. The way you describe that private place of memory, not hidden out of secrecy, but out of love, feels deeply human. I really felt the shift from pain to gentler remembrance, how time doesn’t erase anything but slowly teaches us to breathe around what remains.

[Gee]

Thank you. Appreciate you taking the time to both read and comment.
Happy New year:)

[DIVYA]

Time is a great healer, they say, but I think time just takes the edge off the pain. I loved that we can drop in on the memories anytime, look, touch, remember, smile. Such deep love conveyed..

[Gee]

Yes, I agree with you regarding time taking the edge off the pain, it's always there in the background ready to surface.
Thank you for dropping in Divya

[DIVYA]

You are welcome Gee. :)

[Brad Dehler]

Yes, this seemed familiar. Perhaps that is it, Gee. Interesting- I have often seen birds as arbiters or relics or some kind of talisman to those who have passed before us. Especially relatives and friends. Special place indeed, fly into the sunset.

[Gee]

Apologies for the late thank you...Thank you

[Wild Rose]

We all have our 'Special Place' where memories 'live'.
We have photos of loved ones sitting together, relaxing by their garden shed at the end of a day's toil; their garden is not accessible to us now.
We have our own garden shed with a seat, out of the winds, in the afternoon and evening sun; where we sit, as they did; nothing is said, just our memories drifting by.

Thank you for your sharing you quiet moments

[Gee]

Thank you for reading and sharing your words

[Coyote Poetry]

When I take my grandchildren fishing. Takes me back when my father took me fishing.
" I'll come back as a Robin" she used to say
" to keep an eye, make sure you are behaving"
then she would laugh, sip her tea."
I loved the above lines. I return to old places and I remember voices and I remember faces. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Gee]

Thank you Coyote.
Hope you are well

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Temperance]

It's obvious that you cared deeply for this person. Respect and love come forth in your words as does the deeply felt loss. The warmth and love you felt for this person is nicely presented. I enjoyed this read.

[Gee]

Thank you for taking the time to comment

[Barbara Meistrell]

A poem with much feelng... could actually see and feel her too...well written

[Gee]

Thank you for stopping by Barbara

[Donna]

Gee, this is a sad but beautiful poem. You wrote with such feelings and honesty. I hope all is well with you?

[Gee]

Hi, thanks Donna. All is well here thanks

[Betty Hermelee]

A soft and heartfelt ode to a family member…. Grief fades and as it does, one tends to visit memories less often… it’s much better to smile when thinking of that important person, than to pine and feel pain. So, now the less often visits are pleasurable, even a giggle now and then sharing good times. Nice Gee!
Best
B.

[Gee]

Aye, time, as every man Jack and his dog will tell you, does ease the heartache.
Thanks for dropping in Betty, Hope you are well.

[Betty Hermelee]

Doing well thank you, and hope your are too!
You're very welcome dear Gee....
Best, B