Hadn't we

However strong -  our intentions to remember

only happy time is vital because - well - because that 

is what they would have wanted.. 

Those often-mentioned - recalled and more than

heart-close darlings, are sweet shadows at our table -

perfumed in their glorious past.. 

Thin-ness on cushions, backs against more,

napkins close; hand-bags on floor; lived-in lined faces

full smiling,  are life-young again.. 

December hides moments, days and dates 

soaked in the crystal of tears fallen, eyes closed and - 

sighs too many..

Moments when silence said too much, when smiles 

wept,  when walls met and pride admitted our

middle name was Foolish..

The echoes of grace said, palms together, will 

out-sing the robin's flitter-bright carol from gran's 

long ago holly bush..   

The air rings of chatter, noises a'quiver, hands

trembling, tummies rumbling  - will never be

sad as we smile.. we can.. we promised.. 

From them we learned what love really is - not

only for a day nor self but - because sharing it

made forever memories 

 

Photos gazed at, pointing fingers, damp cheeks,

hugs and tissues offered..  smiles and nods, a

Roses chocolate or Pringley crisp helps..

Crackers' silliness will perch paper hats on heads

full to brim with be merry, bright, because -

we had loved each other - more than.. 

Hadn't we?

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Ah yes I can remember my dear old grandmother sitting at the dinner table...watching to see what I left over...then she would quickly stab a string bean off my plate.... and many other shadows i owe my heartfelt tributes to....I can still remember many of them, yet just as shadows of themselves.....lovely tributes to the yesteryear
Warmly, B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the friends and relatives I have lost are the shadows sitting at my table with me. There will always be place settings for them, always in my heart.
j.

[emmajoygreen]

Beautifully said, dear friend.

[Gee]

Should and do count my blessings. Luckily, or not depending on how you view life, I only had one parent to mourn but probably did/do this as if she were three.
Can properly relate to this, so well written, sad but uplifting too:)
Beautiful, the writing and your soul.
Hope you are well and have survived another named storm

[emmajoygreen]

Good morning.. brrrrr cold and managed to escape nasties during Storm G.. Friends in Wales did not. Ground floor flooded, power off and general carnage. Local people, authorities and more been wonderful. Giant heaters etc to sort carpeting but had to be taken up - house stinks. Ria said however, that she has family who can give her and famly shelter for as long as.. unlike those poor souls living under thin sheets with all sorts around them, no fresh water or food. True but/and, nobody helping them plus, newly arrived this and that is disappearing but not into the mouths of children, old or sick. A familiar tale, repeated time and time again. Will shut up and go. Hope your working day stays dry and not too horribly cold

[LisaCarol]

I relate to the melancholy reflected in this poem. Your timing impeccable with the upcoming holiday season when many of us reflect on familial ties. Thank you for your writing and your ability to bind so many on this platform. You are a true gem!

[emmajoygreen]

You are so very thoughtful - you bother and that matters, LisaCarol,. Many would disagree with you about me being a gem, luv! C'est la vie!

[—-]

Your words hold and protect those sweetly perfumed shadows of the season you write so beautifully of. Time-stained tears become beautiful crystals of memory in the past you gently glance across As always, beautiful poetry. ‘The echoes of grace’ is an achingly stunning phrase, and that, I feel, is what you are doing so well in this requiem to loss. Echoing the grace of those you love and have loved.

[emmajoygreen]

Your review is beautiful, not because of the words themselves but.. the meanings given and from me, taken. Love fades into the paintwork but.. never truly disappeas

[M.E.Lyle]

Looking round our little family circle, we are one shorter than this time last year. Two shorter than we were two years ago, and we seem to be getting shorter more often than before. Shorter not by height but by number. We are adding one, however, through marriage, so I suppose that negates at least one.
Memories of those gone on are precious. I remember those happy times when I was a boy. Mom and Dad were the anchors of our world, holding things steady and strong. How has it come to this, when Jan and I have become those anchors. Will we be remembered fondly?
Look what you've gone and done. You've got me to writing without intention.
I love this time of year, and I love this poem. I must for it has me going on in such a silly way.

[emmajoygreen]

Christmas is, like Thanksgiving, is supposed to be happiness sitting around cracking jokes and pulling crackers but jokes go out of fashion year by year and the crackers can be duds. What do we do? We all or most have a way of coping and - the past can advise and guide.. each and all to their own memories. Yes, this is a time of year to love.. life hurts but.. there has to be a way, somehow.. some times. Need smile for the smallest glimmer, or - light a (safe) candle, perhaps, Silly ways allowed.