The Value of Memories

A Tovli's 10 Challenge prose poem

the cushioned chair sits at the porch edge.

the old man looks across the dark ocean.

squiggly silver moonlight reflections 

dance and roll toward him, bearing sadness.

beached by weak muscles and aged bones

he laments time’s tortuous toll.

his wife begins to knead his shoulders

sharing a vision of wonderful days.

with eyes closed, he sails back in time

to the ebb and flow of past routines

to lavish parties filled with laughter

to the noise of happy children playing.

she kisses his cheek and lingers.

he snaps back with sudden clarity

places his gnarled hand over hers

and knows he’s glad to be alive.

Reviews

[cartera]

A great love poem.
Probably a similar age, I relate to this. The litle moments of contentment that come from little actions.
Wel done.
ATB
Alex.

[Salvatore Buttaci]

Congratulations on winning Tovli's Ten Prose Poem Contest!

[Jenny Nelson]

What a pleasant write! A touch of sadness remembering the past in its glory, but a pleasure in the the present. Very nice.

[sudeep]

very evocative imagery.

[LeeLee Ryder]

GREAT LUSCIOUS IMAGERY HERE, PAPAED..
TVOM illustrates how living thru the moments
of a long life and living in the moment makes
for a life filled with great memories that have
happened and ones that will..
Thanx for the memories!
LLR

[TL Boehm]

lovely. this thing could've gone dark, so quickly. Age and regret...the loss - the ebb of life, but you gave it that great lift at the end. there is something so profound about aging together....I hope my hub and I are kind to one another 25 years from now....

[emmajoy]

What a beautiful use of the given words! The ending is wonderful .. and how it should be. ' ,, places his gnarled hand over hers and knows he’s glad to be alive.' Your poem flows and I do wonder if the given words gently opened the sluice gates or the dam broke.

Your words move gently, without, just well selected phrases placed comfortably and pictorially. It's wonderful .. can see the man on the cushioned chair, eyes closed, shoulders massaged by his caring wife!

[R J Askew]

Ach, I am in a tetchy mood. Why the hell do I hate challenges so much? It's irrational. If a poem is good it is good. But I just do hate stuff written to the challenge.

[Lola Nation]

Lovely sentiment here... in so many ways.

[Coyote Poetry]

I know the feeling of the poem. Old age leave us wishing for old days. Need a gentle touch to awake us to real life and new joys. Poem is beautiful and tell a true story of wisdom. A outstanding poem.
Coyote