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jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2000-05-04 01:56 PM

\c{Memories On The Wall

We painted her room,
a week or so ago,
and it was the hardest thing we ever did;
that simple task
of covering the past.
On her walls were the memories,
amassed,
and adored,
for the eighteen years of her life.
Simple things
like a penciled name,
a number,
a crayoned star,
a sticker here and there.
Deeper things
like a birthday card,
a hand-written note,
a rabbits foot,
pictures…
so many pictures…
cards,
and miscellaneous things,
cradled among the dolls
and stuffed animals she loved.
Junk to some,
treasures of the heart to her,
pieces of her soul,
all that her life was,
until today.
We said goodbye
to the memories on the walls,
to the hours and hours
we'd spend in her room,
reliving all that she'd ever been.
Walls that lived with her
minute by minute,
year by year,
everyday of her life.
We said goodbye
to the child that was
and will always be so essential
to each of our lives.
And with every brush stroke
of fresh white paint,
we said hello
to this beautiful,
vibrant.
butterfly,
emerging into the light of day.

W. James Beard, Jr.}

[This message has been edited by jwesley (edited 05-04-2000).]

David2
Member

since 2000-03-22

Posts 407

1 posted 2000-05-04 02:01 PM

Very moving and touching. I enjoyed this greatly.
David2

BSC

Moderator

Member Elite

since 2000-02-04

Posts 2919
New York, USA

2 posted 2000-05-04 02:06 PM

Wow- This is so bittersweet, and beautiful. Certainly touched my heart. Bonnie

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant

since 2000-04-26

Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium

3 posted 2000-05-04 02:07 PM

Moved me for sure, James.

Regards,
Sudhir

In any moment of decision,
The best thing you can do is the right thing,
The next-best thing is the wrong thing,
And the worst thing you can do is nothing.
- Theodore Roosevelt

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

4 posted 2000-05-04 02:08 PM

Hi Folks,

I'm really interested to know if this works as it's supposed to. I guess I mean do you get out of it what I meant it to say...without my telling you how it originated.

Thanks....

j.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

5 posted 2000-05-04 02:55 PM

At first I was afraid you were speaking of a child that had died, but then felt that you were speaking of growing up...in any case, it is a beautiful and touching poem.

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

6 posted 2000-05-04 06:37 PM

JW
this is an exceptional poem...very touching and emotionally strong...as is the imagery...
very well written.
as for your question...
like Martie...as I was reading I too thought it might be about a child who died, but by the ending verse...I drawn towards the realization of either a daughter moving out..to go off to college, or on her own..or perhaps to get married.
anyway...its a wonderful piece of parental devotion.
take care, jm

[This message has been edited by Janet Marie (edited 05-04-2000).]

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