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Open Poetry #17
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Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan

0 posted 2001-12-23 12:42 PM


Its the shoes
its always the shoes that set me to crying
now sitting there in the corner of my kitchen

black canvas, Converse hi-tops
it seems you always had a pair
the first when you were nine

little league
guitar lessons
college
med school
marriage and fatherhood

and as you grew
the shoes did too
they soon became symbolic of you

patterns of wear
the same on each pair

Oh why did you die?
the tears won't dry

only just last week, those very shoes
walked through my door with your juanty gait
your big crooked grin
and your tousled hair

and now, in my kitchen corner they sit
so empty without you
its always the shoes that set me to crying

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

© Copyright 2001 Lyra Nesius - All Rights Reserved
ecrivan
Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923
my own state
1 posted 2001-12-23 01:35 AM



Terribly touching...
Very moving poem..often enough we learn alot from our loved ones through their habits. This digs very deeply and I can only imagine the sorrow you have felt from the loss..I am sincerely sorry.


shoffswife
Junior Member
since 2001-12-23
Posts 38
KY, US
2 posted 2001-12-23 01:37 AM


Your poem brought tears to my eyes.  It was beautifully written.
amusemi
Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262
A State of Disarray
3 posted 2001-12-23 02:43 AM


Whoa!  Incredibly emotional poem.  If this is your loss, I am sorry.  
Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
4 posted 2001-12-23 01:06 PM




(tears fall down my cheeks) Oh Lyra, I know just how you feel, and it too always saddens me to see us always adapt to new shoe sizes so quickly and watch life pass us by! (wipes tears) My heart goes out to you, but I know just as long as you believe in yourself and embrace Loves light, you will always be dancing on the ground in every pair of shoes with cheer! (kiss on cheek) So sad but beautiful, sweet friend! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Lyra, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
5 posted 2001-12-23 02:15 PM


Lyra darling girl this had the tears pouring down my face, please tell me this isn't real.

The writing as always is amazing, it seems very close, and so emotive.

Wonderful writing from you

Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy


To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1


GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
6 posted 2001-12-23 03:42 PM


Lyra - This was very touching and so, so sad.      

Dave

RosePetal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985
South Florida
7 posted 2001-12-23 03:52 PM


very powerful and expressive write!
((big hugs)))

RP

Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
8 posted 2001-12-23 05:50 PM


it's always amazing just what will remind us. . . for me, it's a sweater that my Dad always wore. . . scratchy and stiff. . . but still. . .

very well done. . . painted just like we were there. . .

-------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
9 posted 2001-12-24 12:25 PM


Thanks so much, Martin.....
It has been an incredible loss.
A mother should never outlive her child.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
10 posted 2001-12-24 12:27 PM


Thank you so much for your reply, Shelley.
I think we are both members of that sad sorority of mothers who have lost children.
It is a difficult sorority to live in, indeed.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
11 posted 2001-12-24 12:29 PM


Thanks so much, Amusemi....
Yes, unfortunately it is my loss.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
12 posted 2001-12-24 12:34 PM


Thanks for your sweet reply, Noah...but the poem wasn't really about my shoes.
It was about the shoes of my son who died last year...They are still sitting in my kitchen, and will always sit in my kitchen.
To me...they are a symbol that he lived, he was my child, and he wore those shoes.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
13 posted 2001-12-24 12:36 PM


Thanks Marsha dear,  Yes it is true.
My son, Eric died very suddenly and tragically in July of 2000.  At the time, he was a 4th year med student of Univ of Michigan.  He was married and had 2 beautiful little daughters.
We all miss him unbearably.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
14 posted 2001-12-24 12:38 PM


Thanks so much, Dave and Joanna.
Life is so cruel sometimes...I often wonder why.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

[This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (12-24-2001 11:14 AM).]

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
15 posted 2001-12-24 12:41 PM


Thanks so much, Sven...You must be one of those people (like me) who just can't let go of things.  I keep those shoes right in the corner of my kitchen...I also sometimes wear around my house, an old sweater which I made for my first husband...who died 2 and 1/2 yrs ago, and I still have a couple of my late father's hats.
Somehow, these items are comforting.

copyright2001 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

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