Vintage Chevrolet

Vintage Chevrolet

 

 

 

my mom’s keys

to her ’57 Chevy

adorn my keychain.

 

it was a memory

worth keeping

like ballet shoes

and high school yearbooks,

something tangible

that traversed through the years

long after she passed away

like the deck of cards

for solitaire,    

her cigarette case

and reading glasses for crossword puzzles.

 

tangible and real

palpable to the touch

i hold the keys

in the palm of my hand,

a resurgence of life

stirs briefly,

ever sweetly

 

picturing my mom behind the wheel

of her ‘57 Chevy.

 

 

 

Reviews

[Michael Sun Bear]

Those keys no longer unlock anything physical, but they unlock a treasure trove of memories! Another great poem, Kelly. If it had appeared anonymously I would have known it as yours. You have a style that unlocks my own memories and emotions. Ballet shoes huh? Do you,did you dance? MSB

[Kelly Scheppers]

The ballet shoes were hypothetically spoken of as something suggested that one would keep, but everything else mentioned is mine. I was too tall for ballet, anyway. But I love to dance! Thanks, Michael!

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh, Kelly, you are such an emotional being....which is why all your poetry hits me with "the feels". Would you believe I still have the tie belt from my father's robe? He has been gone 31 years! Beautifully written, my friend. Loved it. Lydi***

[Kelly Scheppers]

Wow, I've been amazed by the reviews I've received, people admitting to keepsakes they have of a loved one. It truly is a beautiful thing to have something so tangible to hold that still connects us to those we lost. I'm so glad you shared this of your Dad. Thank you, Lydi!

[Buddhistboy73]

What a lovely poem and memory here...:)

It's the little things that comfort us when we lose someone....you paint a peaceful and emotional portrait of your mum here....
The 57 Chevy.....a great symbol of America and energy.....

Thanks for shraring this uplifting poem...

BB73

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am deeply flattered, and moved, by the reviews I've received, on the whim of contemplating a memory of my mom. Much obliged for the kindness of words given!

[Buddhistboy73]

you're welcome....feel free to stop by and check out one of mine some time...:)

BB73

[Neville]

Do you know what, if I had faves, then this would surely be write up there, very close to the number one spot .. because it hits that vulnerable spot in me both powerfully and gently & simultaneously (okay I know thats a contradiction in terms) but and its a bloomin BIG BUT that's exactly what it has done each time I have read through your Vintage Chevrolet (or rather your Moms) .. I can totally relate Kelly .. and now I can't stop seeing my own Mum behind the wheel of her old Austin Healey with the hood down and her polka dot head scarf which incidentally, I have kept, blowing behind her in the wind and smiling while taking a drag on one of her cork tipped cigarettes .. Beautiful words well deserving of the 💯/💯
I now unashamedly award them .. Kindest regards, Me & a little wonky wave from Astrid Wren .. 🌻👍

[Kelly Scheppers]

You got me with the image of that polka dot head scarf blowing in the wind! Our mom's were totally rad, even when rad wasn't cool! What a review!! I love how my words conjured up such a palpable memory for you, Nev. How nostalgically cool would it be to someday take a photo of little Wren wearing that scarf? (Take another drag, Mom...we're smiling here!)

[Samuel Dickens]

Like Pete, I'm touched by these words. Small items left by the departed are treasures to me, also, so I completely get how you feel about those keys. I have a hubcap from Dad's '58 Edsel.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Wow, now that's impressive! Good for you, Sam. I think there's a powerful connection men have with cars that women just don't get. Make that "some" women! Thank you, Sam. You've brightened my day!

[Pete]

i love it. touching to say the least. cute memorial tribute. i have my father's wedding band on my keychain.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Fragments of life are such a treasure. Thanks so much, Pete!

[red93]

Fabulous Kelly - and I can image the Car and that 50s ambience - very 'Back to the Future' if you know the Film. An evocative and intensely powerful Piece from 'The Mistress of Minimalism'. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

...that turquoise and shiny chrome made quite an impression. Thank you, Tony!

[Lorry]

Yes, we all need those tangible memories to hold onto Kelly. I lost all of mine in a fire in 2017 and I miss having them, just to know they are there, to hold and let me time travel to the past when they were theirs. I had my Dads Sos talisman, which I'd like a medical necklace with all his info and my mums remote control for the TV, which was a weird choice but it was never out her hand as she constantly flicked through her 400 plus channels, before sighing and saying "there's never Abu buddy thing on!"
Thinking on it noelw I should have taken her old purse, full of pre decimal coins, as they would have at least survived a fire, but it was the remote that made me smile for its ability to let me hear her complain one more time in my mind. 😃
Or maybe I should have taken her key haunting collection, which were all attached to each other, which she carried for protection in the days she used to go to the bingo and return at night. I once asked her why so many and she casually replied, this five foot nothing woman "that if anyone tried to mug her they'd at least need reconstructive surgery when she hit them with them! That makes me smile too! 😃

[Kelly Scheppers]

Oh Lorry, to have lost everything in such a way, I'm certain it still reverberates through your life even now. I hope your heart holds fast to that remote in her hand, and I'm glad that if only for a moment, I helped conjure that moment alive again! Thank you!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

What a wonderful memory of her. And what great cars those were. The coolest looking ever.
This poem connected with me. I have my dad's 1937 high school yearbook from 1937. Snyder High School in Jersey City, NJ. In fact he was one of the editors of the yearbook. It is so special to me to have that.
I didn't need big things of theirs for memories, just smaller things like the yearbook. Thanks for this poem.
j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I have the key-fob from the Chevy dealer in Maryland that the keys were attached to, also. I'd rather have the little things, like you said. But I know how much that yearbook must mean to you. Thanks so much, J!