Thank you Amy!
In the arduous task of cleaning
out things, it is a constant question of what to keep, what to leave for my own
children to deal with someday, and what to throw away. In my thoughts, this poem emerged. I imagine you have noticed I am rather
single-minded these days. It’s all about
the changes and the move.
“A
poem is a small or large machine made with words.” William Carlos Williams
They
say that it’s sentimental.
One
should pretend it had not been
When
I press that leaf from Boston,
Save
tickets of movies seen.
Please
let me gush;
Allow
my weeping,
For
over the years
I’ve
also been keeping
Letters
from friends and loves.
And
when I find them
Still
tied in ribbon-
These
gifts from the past,
And
when I see what’s
Pasted
onto scrapbook leaves--
Ticket
stubs-flowers-sticky notes of love--
I
neither blush nor deny my feelings,
but
applaud the sensibilities that guide me.
Lovely
times follow me
And
more are still to come.
Lovely times follow me
ReplyDeleteAnd more are still to come.
Yes, that is just the spirit with which to treasure what has come before and look forward to all that lies ahead. Good luck with the move, my friend!
Thanks Tara. I'm on my way!
DeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to Poetry Friday. I am here today! Love the thoughts in your poem--Just let me be with all my sentimental stuff. I, too, tend to keep stuff like ticket stubs and greeting cards. Best to you as you continue to sift through and move on.
Hi Margaret, so glad to hear you've joined us. I'll look for you! I'm glad to hear others are sentimental too. Thanks!
DeleteLove your last two lines. And a move does make you sentimental and I'm sure you will be focused on it more than anything else, for quite awhile. Wishing you the best in your move!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katherine. It's quite a ride these days.
DeletePacking helps you find all kinds of things, I'm sure! That's what happens with my kids when they are cleaning their rooms -- they find too many neat things to remember that they are actually supposed to be cleaning. Thanks for sharing your heartfelt poem and the new-to-me William Carlos Williams quote.
ReplyDeleteYes, over the Thanksgiving holiday, there was lots of talk over photos & other 'stuff'. My grandson helped me look through one box & he found his father's grade cards-loved it! The quote is interesting, isn't it? Thank you!
DeleteLinda, I love the spirit of this poem! I, too, am unabashedly sentimental -- I love surrounding myself with things that MEAN something. I don't need any of that decorator bric-a-brac! I'm puzzling over WCW's poetry as machine... hmmm... thank you, and keeping you in my thoughts as you move through this latest transition! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Irene. I like 'looking' at those mementoes too. I will be pondering that quote for a while-don't quite know what he was aiming for.
DeleteThinking of you, Linda, in such a time of wide-ranging emotions. Glad you are taking moments to celebrate what's been meaningful to you, and especially glad to sense that you are embracing the wonders awaiting you ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhen you and Irene figure out the WCW quote, let me know - I kind of like it, though, as if words aren't just flat on the paper but create something that moves. (Though I'd probably put fur and a tail on it...!)
Thank you Robyn, I appreciate the words! I thought I might research the quote since several have been asking. Apparently it is derived from an essay Williams wrote. Here is the link I found: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/essay/237888
DeleteSo after reading this, I am venturing that Williams meant that if a poem is thought to be complete, it works exactly like a machine, serving a purpose.
This might be a good conversation on Poetry Friday?
I neither blush nor deny my feelings,
ReplyDeletebut applaud the sensibilities that guide me.
Yes! I love these lines. Another beautiful vignette from your moment of big changes. Thank you, Linda!
Thank you Renee, perhaps I should keep a book of all these words flying up?
DeleteAn arduous task, memories flooding back -- so many emotions as you go through all your things. For all the changes and the stresses they might bring, there is always a note of optimism in your poems and posts. Moving forward, welcoming the new challenges and adventures. Thanks for sharing this chapter in your life with us so candidly. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jama. I feel your support & love every bit!
DeleteHi, Linda. Isn't it amazing how so many of us have been holding onto, letting go of, and wondering about memories and the past this week. Wishing you continued good luck with your move.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I love the serendipity of you looking & me just finding the postcards. Lots of fun!
DeleteI love this, Linda! Yes, more good times to come but allow yourself to feel all the mixes of feelings from the huge life event.
ReplyDeleteI have lost so many things I had saved, and regretted not saving still. I am trying to recapture them in words so I do not lose the memory.
Good luck on the move.
It's been years of collecting Susan, so I just cannot save it all, but I certainly am saving some. Thank you for your advice.
DeleteI love how this poem formed. I am sure it was almost impossible with the flood of memories and tangible little moments you found in boxes and bows. I think the notebook to savor the lines that are flying is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betsy-I will start with this poem, & see what happens. There is so little time right now, but soon!
DeleteYou're right to let yourself feel those things, even when they're painful! I hope the move goes very well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth. Nice to hear from you.
DeleteWhat a lovely oem! I can so relate. I am a collector of ticket stubs, souvenirs and so many mementos. I know I need to weed but it is so difficult.
ReplyDeleteI hope your move goes smoothly and that your first Christmas there will be special.
I am really looking forward to decorating for Christmas. It will be both a joy & a challenge. First I guess I'd better start shopping. I think the internet might be very helpful this year.
DeleteDear Linda, This is so beautiful. And so true for me too. As my children grow up, I just want to keep every last article of clothing. Your bundles are treasures, and in your new home, maybe you'll keep pulling them out as writing inspiration too... Good wishes, friend. a.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy. Yes, we want to keep it all close to our hearts, don't we? Thanks for the wishes Amy. It was a terrific Poetry Friday!
DeleteLoved "Lovely times follow me
ReplyDeleteAnd more are still to come".
Maybe it's the holidays, but I've spent more time the past week, weeping for no reason...except that some sappy, sentimental thingy was on TV or I caught a glimpse of a picture that took me back to younger days, or my husband did something especially nice, or a cookie tasted really good!
Lovely times are still to come! Thanks for that thought. I can't think about it TOO seriously, though, or I'll be blubbering again!
I think you're right-we get really sappy around this time. I have had so many happy Christmases & this will be just another journey that will be made happy by the kids. A new chapter for sure. Wish you could run right over for a cuppa! Thanks, Donna.
DeleteLove this, Linda, especially the last four lines. You are savouring all the bits of life without apology. I'd like to be more like that!
ReplyDeleteViolet N.
Hi Violet! Those savory bits keep me going, I guess. I cannot wait to settle down, but maybe that's not right? Slowing down is not good, is it? Ah-h, more to ponder... Thank you!
DeleteWe are trying to help my mom reduce the amount of STUFF in her house, and it's hard, just plain hard, for her to let go of the things that were saved for love, or thrift, or sentimentality, or good intentions, or stubbornness...She is torn apart by the knowledge that neither my brother nor I will have the space or the desire to keep all the things that SHE has lovingly treasured all these year.
ReplyDeleteSo I don't know FIRST hand what you're going through, but I can imagine...
Yep-it's tough but I am doing it. A friend has too & says it is so freeing once done! She has really motivated me!!😊
DeleteAw, Linda--this is just lovely. Cherish all those memories, friends, and loves!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura. I will, I will!
Delete