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Open Poetry #14
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Memories for Sale
| Open Poetry #14 |
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Memories for Sale |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada 
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Memories for Sale He walked up to the little house, and paused to gain his strength, The pathway from the drive to porch had seemed an endless length; The gardens showed their loss of care, the weeds were overgrown, A tear began to grace his cheek as memories overflowed. He saw her flowered gardening hat, hung just outside the door, The rake and spade leaned gently 'tward it, waiting evermore; Alas, no loving hands would reach to guide their daily tasks, His mother's final days had come, though several weeks had passed. Until today, he could not find the courage in his heart, To face this empty home for fear he'd simply fall apart; Much more than just a casement made of brick and wood and nails, This house contained remembrances of timeless family tales. He glanced toward the road and saw the "sold" sign in the grass, And softly sighed … in sixty days, he'd lose his sense of "past"; With keys in hand, he turned the lock and quietly stepped in, A rush of mixed emotions, came from somewhere deep within. No gentle arms were at the door to greet the vacant chime, No smiling face to whisper "Welcome Home, sweet child of mine"; A feeling raw and aching added to his sense of strife, Alone, he scanned the foyer, saw the traces of his life. In ghost-like vision, there he watched the past come into view, The boots and mittens, coats and hats, he'd drop as he ran through; He smiled at all the mem'ries of her subtle reprimands, As she picked up the items, hung them gently on the stand. In silence he remained in place, while snapshots framed his mind, As all the years of love and life re-played the years of time; His reverie was shattered by an overwhelming sense, That he was not alone … the feeling grew … became intense. He moved into the family room and saw through hazy air, His father still reclining in his favorite worn-out chair; The ghostly apparition turned the newspaper with skill, The scent of pipe smoke lingered as he felt a sudden chill. The memory of his father, long since taken from this world, Was growing ever stronger, as he watched the scene unfurl; He jumped and glanced toward the kitchen, heard the pots and pans, Aromas of their favorite meal were wafting through in strands. Like patterns from a distant time, he heard his mother's voice, Now riveted, he listened on, and stood without a choice; The humming grew much clearer as he recognized the tune, Then felt his knees grow weak, as she appeared into the room. Her vision glided softly to his father's chair and ceased, She looked as he remembered 20 years ago at least; She spoke a name in whispered breath, his father turned and sighed, And stood with arms outstretched, as they embraced there un-denied. He heard her say, "I'm sorry that I took so very long." His father smiled, "I waited dear, oh how I've missed your song." "It's time to go, he knows we're here," and motioned to the hall, Their son remained there motionless, in awe of what he saw. She blew a kiss toward her son, and grasped his father's hand, They turned and faded out of sight … no longer of this land; He paused for just a moment, washed in comfort through his tears, And memorized the vision he would cherish through his years. Through trick of mind or memory ... perhaps a greater cause, He felt his heart embrace the vision, felt a sense of calm. He turned to walk back through the door, and stopped a final time, A peaceful feel enveloped him … serenity of mind. He glanced toward the road and saw the "sold" sign in the grass … And knew from deep within his heart … his memories would last. /Kit McCallum |
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| © Copyright 2001 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
Oh Lord, give me the kleenex,  Well done!"This rose has seen red, I have been blue |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
The mind resigns to find the twine that binds, designs rewinds to memories so kind. Powerful and poignant. Thanks. "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve" |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
He turned to walk back through the door, and stopped a final time, A peaceful feel enveloped him … serenity of mind. I just had to say, Thank you. Melton |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Kit, Excellent, I'm impressed. Sy |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
Yes memories are within and not in the things... excellent telling and an experience sad yet uplifting at the same time.. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Darn! I had my makeup on, ready for work, then read this poem. NOW I have to redo it!! I simply loved this - so poignant and sad, yet so full of love. It's beautiful Kit. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Darn it Kit....I should have known....We need a Kleenex Icon for you.... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Every hair on my arms is standing on end and there's a tingle running down my back... and we won't even mention the tears trickling down my cheeks. *S* This is fantastic, Kit!!! |
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Zinsser Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641Calif. |
This I truly enjoyed. Thank You so very much for sharing this with all of us. Thanks Connie |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Oh Kit! How very lucky are those in your family that have your gentle spirit touching them on a continual basis, for just "one shot of Kit", and I am good for yet another day! Karilea is right, you need your own icon, put in a request for one! Loved this, printed it and will keep it in "the book" for tomorrow's young readers to enjoy at Big Sisters, they love your work, and so do I. ~*~ Remember to tell someone today that you love them as tomorrow may never come ~*~ |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Moving... poignant... eloquent... and much more... thanks for sharing this marvel, my friend... Regards to you, Kit, Sudhir "I was born intelligent - education ruined me" |
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Alicethruglass Member
since 2001-06-19
Posts 368 |
some memories never fade. nicely written ~A~ |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
you are the queen of tender render set to rhyme with this one dear poetess... what a beauty of reminising... very well done Kit-gator love the ending...(smile waiting to happen)  |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Oh my, this just stuns me, the story is so poignant. Excellent writing, of course, but I got lost in the story. Sandra |
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inot2B Member Elite
since 2000-09-18
Posts 2205Arkansas |
At my house we had to read this seperately, because it's too hard to read out loud while crying. This is the kind of love that lives at my house. |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
Kit, Your writing never fails to stir my senses. This is just incredible! Such a fine story. Michael Michael Auguste~ |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Kit, our memories are never for sale. I lost my father many years ago. He was my best friend and mentor in every way. When he was suddenly gone, I thought I lost it all. But in time, I've grown to realize he is always with me. I still hear him talking to me in certain situations. What he taught me and shared with me while he was living will always be a part of me. I realize this poem is about the selling of the house - and the memories within, but it's the people within the memories that matter the most I think - and they will never be lost to you. You stated this well in you ending. This is truly a beautiful poem - "stirring" - to echo the previous reply. Michael |
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OLIAS Senior Member
since 2000-06-20
Posts 1090Pearl city Iowa |
Wonderful tender story, Thank you Regards Olias. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Kit~ Not so easy to see through the misty-eyes ... How this touches me in a very personal way, my friend. Thanking you with *Hugs* from this heart. Very beautifully written. Pass these out to the 'crowd' ...   Love ya' ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Hey, Marge! Toss one of those down to me, will ya? Kit, I don't need to tell you how much I love this one because you know....but I'll tell you anyway......I LOVE IT! You are blessed with talent, girl  |
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Eloise Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096Wyoming |
Kit, this is wonderful. Outstanding writing. |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Kit- wow...this one has left me speechless and with a serious attack of goosebumps. this is absolutely beautiful and brought tears to these eyes. thanks so much for sharing it with us. hugs, ~vicky marge...pass the tissues please.. "...until you have read the verse on his |
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Martha Cowan Member
since 2001-03-08
Posts 240Groves, Texas |
Through tear~filled eyes I type this comment to convey that this was so deeply touching, and so very beautiful! I was drawn into this and could feel myself standing in the room, and the emotions were ones that I could so much relate to. This was simply breathtaking! Smiles to you, dawn |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Oh, Kit, this is surely the best of yours I've read. I know I've not read many of them, but that's still not an understatement. This is such a wonderfully woven retelling that touches the heart with tender love. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I hope you don't mind, I'd shared it with about 7 or 8 of my friends. The first one I sent it to is a group leader in Hope for Healing, a hospice group for the ones left behind after a death or divorce. I'm so positive this will touch her greatly, as it did me and everyone else here that's read it. May I keep a copy in my favorites file???? Please e-mail me if I may and let me know you aren't displeased that I shared it. |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Oh, Kit, this is surely the best of yours I've read. I know I've not read many of them, but that's still not an understatement. This is such a wonderfully woven retelling that touches the heart with tender love. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I hope you don't mind, I'd shared it with about 7 or 8 of my friends. The first one I sent it to is a group leader in Hope for Healing, a hospice group for the ones left behind after a death or divorce. I'm so positive this will touch her greatly, as it did me and everyone else here that's read it. May I keep a copy in my favorites file???? Please e-mail me if I may and let me know you aren't displeased that I shared it. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I came back for seconds, and this time the emotions flowed even more freely. I pictured the entire scene this time, and walked every step with him. You know what - I saw a tear in his Mother's eye as she walked down the hall - I swear I did! Such a storyteller, such a gem of a poet, bless your gift. ~*~ Tell someone you love them today, as tomorrow may never come ~*~ |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
*Pass the kleenex my way too Marge .... now "you" guys are making me cry ... ~Kathleen: I got to read your comment before I ran off to work Kathleen ... you made me smile and I made you cry ... I thank you for these sweet words. ~RSWells: What a lovely comment RSWells ... that in itself is beautiful, thank you. ~Melton: Allow me to thank "you" for enjoying Melton. ~Seymour: That means a great deal to me Sy, I appreciate this, thank you. ~Cpat: A wonderful summary Cpat ... you've encapsulated this beautifully, thank you. ~Sharon: Sorry for the make-up re-do Sharon, but thank you so much for the smile you gave me. ~Karilea: LOL, you've got me grinning here Karilea ... thank you. ~Suthern: Now I hope you didn't read this one from work Suthern, LOL ... thanks for the lovely words, I'm glad you enjoyed. ~Connie: Thank you for the kind words Connie, they are much appreciated. ~Mysteria: I wonder what new people would think if they saw the kleenex icon, LOL. Thanks for the lovely thoughts Mysteria, I hope the girls enjoy it, many thanks to you. ~Sudhir: Thank you so very much Sudhir, I'm very pleased that you enjoyed. ~Alicethruglass: Welcome to Passions Alicethruglass, and thank you for these kind words. ~JM: Thank you gator-gal ... if I make you smile once in a while, my day is all the richer. Thanks for the sweet words Janet Marie. ~Sandra: Oh, I'm so glad you got lost in the story, what a lovely thing to hear, thank you Sandra. ~Inot2b: You have a very loving household indeed to share these kinds of feelings Inot2b ... I enjoyed hearing this, many thanks. ~Auguste: Thank you so much for the beautiful comment Michael, I am very grateful you enjoyed the story. ~Michael: Thank you so very much for sharing these genuine thoughts with me Michael ... there is so much wisdom and understanding in your words. This lovely response means a great deal to me ... thank you. ~Olias: Thank you for the kind words Olias ... I very much appreciate this. ~Marge: Many hugs back to your kind heart Marge ... and I'll take one of those kleenex's as well my friend, thank you for the smiles. ~Balladeer: And I don't need to tell you how much I appreciate your words Michael, but I will anyway ... from the bottom of this heart ... thank you sweet poet. ~Eloise: I'm so glad you enjoyed this piece Eloise, thank you for this lovely response. ~Vicki: The goosebumps are contagious Vicky ... I had a few when writing. Thank you very much for this lovely comment. ~Martha: What a lovely thing to hear ... I'm so glad you were drawn into the story like this, and thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed it. ~VAS: I sent you an e-mail Virginia ... please do feel free to share this with others. If I make someone smile with a writing, that's all I need to get me smiling. Thanks so much for this wonderful comment. ~Mysteria: It's amazing that you mentioned the tear in her eye Sharon, as I actually had a line written to that affect, but I wound up editing it out at some point. Were you looking over my shoulder? Much appreciation and hugs to all, /Kit [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 06-20-2001).] |
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