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Open Poetry #41
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aziza
Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!

0 posted 2007-11-11 02:43 AM


Stories Lost


Age-worn hands wrap treasures in wrinkled paper,
tucking each memory into an opened cardboard box.
She thinks of the days when those hands were beautiful
and, once tapered, fingers slid into kid leather gloves.
She remembers the feel of silk hose as it slid up her calf,
covering her feet before they slid into elegant leather pumps.

Strands of silver hair fall towards a gaunt cheek.
Her skin still thirsts for the warmth of rouge on cool evenings
and lips that were covered by a flirtatious red lipstick.
Thick glasses gaze upon a neat stack of boxes;
she wonders why she tried to save memories
when each story is forever branded in her brain.

No one wants to hear and no one comes to visit.

She settles into her straight-back rocking chair,
cradling a cup of hot tea in both hands as she reflects.
She thinks of when she sat around kitchen tables
and talked of children, husbands and shared secrets
with women who tossed their hair and laughed.
Closed purses resting on the tables beside them,
containing mysterious, secret women things.

Her thoughts turn to nights of passion, loving and fighting.
She can still feel his gaze upon her as she undressed,
melding together in the private sanctuary they shared.
Their children slept while soft night sounds drifted into the dark.
When she closes her eyes, she can feel his touch still
and she hears the dance one more time.

She looks at her life pieces clustered before her in boxes,
shards of her past wrapped like Christmas presents in newspaper.
She wonders what others will see when they uncover them
and she thinks that they will hold a piece of her in their hands.
A soft laugh escapes, it sounds raspy as it slips from her throat.
The joke is that she no longer cares for the trinkets and treasures.

She is going where she, once again, will be heard and held.
Her stories forever lost.


Alison



© Copyright 2007 Alison - All Rights Reserved
Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
1 posted 2007-11-11 02:47 AM


Ali.... breathtakingly beautiful!  what a stunning write... I'm so pleased you managed to get it out of your head
Lovely catching up on MSN today my friend - be well RDB xx

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2007-11-11 03:51 AM


Oh, Aziza, this is sad-happy beautiful!

- Owl

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
3 posted 2007-11-11 04:06 AM


So many feelings expressed here...wonderful...James
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
4 posted 2007-11-11 08:58 AM


Dear Alison, this is a wonderful write which reflects the thoughts and heart motions of many of those who go through memories of a long gone past.
Recently I met my Aunt who just told me she was doing this. She amazed me when she confessed that she had even separated from all of her photo equipment, not considering it useful anymore ... imagine she was a passionate photographer!! I could hardly believe it. But I am observing this apparent indifference towards cherished objects in other people too. There is this wish of getting rid of "matter" because as you say it "the memories are still safe in the mind".

Exceptional sensitive poem.

Love,
Margherita

Rick
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903
Victoria, Australia
5 posted 2007-11-11 01:32 PM


Just a beautiful write Alison, really enjoyed, touched the heart, thank you.

Rick

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

6 posted 2007-11-11 04:46 PM


I love how you took your time with this, the slow unveiling enhanced the subject, and the fragility of the wrinkled tissue paper was a subtle flavoring to this thoughtful piece. I wish I could come to visit her--I am such a story-collector, I would enjoy that so very much.

The belongings of someone advanced in years do have amazing tales to tell, as we tend to "cull the herd" of knick-knack things as we go along, keeping what is most dear to our hearts.

A tender portrait of graceful acceptance, aziza. I do so enjoy reading you!

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
7 posted 2007-11-11 06:47 PM


simply superb 'write'!...one of the very best
I have EVER seen anywhere!

very serious and long-sustained applause!
[a poetic 'standing ovation' for this
  grand-fine penning!!]

aziza
Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!
8 posted 2007-11-11 11:59 PM


RDB ~

Thank you so much, my friend.  I did write this after talking to you last night.  I am sorry that I didn't make it back to IM - I got caught up in words.  

You are such a wonderful person and I love when you are here to share your thoughts and talent.

xoxoxo
Alison

-----

Owl,

Thank you for understanding and seeing what I tried to share.

Alison

-----

James,

Thank you.  Your comments always mean so much to me.

Alison

-----

Margherita

I love that you shared your Aunt with me.  I see so many who just pack their lives away - and I have realized that the boxes mean nothing compared to their mind and thoughts.

xoxoxo
Alison

-----

Thank you, Rick.  You touch me with your poetry so often that it makes me happy to return the favor.

Alison

-----

Serenity Blaze

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.  I read so much of your poetry and am quite the fan.  Your opinion is very valued by me.

A

-----

My friend, secondhanddreampoet (I do so love that pen name),

Your opinion and support means the world to me.  Many times, you lift me when I just think my poetry does not measure up.  Thank you for that and for sharing your own beautiful works.

Alison

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
9 posted 2007-11-12 02:37 PM


Alison, the word for this piece? it is SUPERB...yet that word barely does this justice.
I bow to your artistry with this write, which is (as Bruce has said) one of the all-time best ever to grace these blue pages.
Take a bow, and accept the accolades.  

Checking this one into my library of favorites.

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
10 posted 2007-11-12 06:14 PM


nice read
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
11 posted 2007-11-12 08:19 PM


I was stunned by this write and brought to tears and I agree with Bruce and Kacy, one of the best I ever read.
                             Ida

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
12 posted 2007-11-12 10:10 PM


ms az, there is a place you take one here
where the stories seem to belong
to everyone that dreams..enjoyed this one!

aziza
Member Elite
since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!
13 posted 2007-11-12 11:08 PM


Kacy,

Thank you.  You made me smile - and I am thrilled that you took the time to meet this lovely Lady.

Alison

-----

vandana,

Thank you.

Alison

-----

Ida,

I am honored that I wrote something to touch you emotionally as this poem did.  Thank you.

Alison

-----

DS

Thank you, friend, for embarking on the journey with me.

A

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