Thanks to Heidi Mordhorst who is hosting this Poetry Friday, at her blog, My Juicy Little Universe here. with her favorite typo! (Go visit to find out what!)
Remembering
I wrote a long text intro
separated by the happy
and the sad, all memories
of September, all the years
gone, 2021 to be lived
and again, remembered.
Then, I mixed it and
poured it out condensed.
Twenty years ago:
first grandchild,
daughter’s wedding planned,
class trip to Costa Rica,
slammed into 9/11.
That day of school remembered
with heartbreak, with students
who didn't need that worry?
For me, a dear Grandma’s birthday.
I remember, I remember,
and now all will remember this September
ending the war whose seeds sprouted
that September.
This Saturday, eight years ago,
my husband died,
a sunny day readying for fall
but he couldn’t stay.
Now I sing an old song
“Try To Remember”
with somber shades
overlaid by sweet memories.
We can’t forget.
We don’t want to remember,
yet still do
“When life was slow and oh, so mellow."
Thanks to Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt for a special song, "Try to Remember"!
I feel a need to write that I am aware that life is not always great for everyone no matter the year, but for me in many early years, good memories.
September is a month that blips past in our family, with no significant personal milestones or memories - excepting the 11th, of course. I will be thinking of you as you tread bittersweet memories, Linda. (Clever first stanza in this.)💓
ReplyDeleteLinda...I feel the emotions in this and the memories flood for me too. It was such a difficult day and then time and then war and now...what? Absence of war. Not really. You poem makes me think of honor and treasures we all hold dear...what we fight for in all kinds of ways. I love the expression, let every memory be a blessing. This poem is that.Even the tough parts. Bless you for sharing with all of us.
ReplyDeleteLinda, life moves on and each year we savor the good memories and touch upon those that sting. September holds times passed on - times that sting and times that bring joyful memories. The world is hurting and September holds those nuggets of thoughts. May this month bring you sweet memories and fill your days with the love of family. Your thoughts spilled out in such a tender and deep poem-one that will remain with you. I send you blessed thoughts and wishes for peace (for you, your family, and the world).
ReplyDeleteAh, The Fantasticks. Your September really is full of memories. Thank you for the poem. I remember looking up at the very blue sky on Sept. 11 and wondering, how did that happen, how did that happen, as if there were answers up there.
ReplyDelete"somber shades
ReplyDeleteoverlaid by sweet memories"
Such a mixture of all the feels in this poem. Sending hugs for the pain and smiles for the happiness!
So many *feels* in your poem, post, life, Linda. Thank you for sharing them all with an open heart. Sending you a hug. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this condensing is powerful, Linda. Hugs to you tomorrow especially.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you Linda...I'll be thinking of you this month. September is a time for remembering...both good and sad times. I like how your poem is full of recollections, some personal to you and others personal for everyone (seeds of war). Thank you for sharing your memories. ~ Carol@ The Apples in My Orchard ~
ReplyDeleteThat first stanza, crafted with all those powerful verbs, is a great introduction to your poem and could even stand alone. Life is such a blending, mixing, condensing experience. The rest of your poem contains so much emotion, highs and lows, and I'm now singing "Try to Remember" along with you. Hugs to you especially today.
ReplyDeleteMemories of melancholy of September. It's a month mixed with memories of happy and sad. Gathering all of these feelings into a poem "I remember" is what we poets do.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for your comments. I have many feelings about September. It touches me deeply every single year.
ReplyDeleteSeptember is a month awash in memories Linda. Memories with a myriad of emotions attached. Your words are rich, raw and honest and go straight to the heart.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you dear Linda, for this heartfelt poem of
ReplyDeleteSeptember's present and so much tender past. Your middle stands out to me of your husband and then your closing,
"somber shades
overlaid by sweet memories.
We can’t forget.
We don’t want to remember,
yet still do"
Thanks for sharing your moving poem, xo.
What a heartfelt and poignant poem, Linda. Thank you for sharing this distillation of your September memories. I love these lines:
ReplyDeleteWe can’t forget.
We don’t want to remember,
yet still do
Linda, as always, I'm sorry for the loss of your husband, and I thank you for sharing your many memories here — so poignant and so beautiful. September is full of so much for you. I was so touched by:
ReplyDeleteWe can’t forget.
We don’t want to remember,
yet still do
Thank you. xo
Thanks so much, Alan, Michelle, Elisabeth, and Karen. It was lovely to read your comments.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I appreciate so much how your poems at this time of year give all of us an opportunity to reach in--really in--and touch the glad and sad memories that we may have, at any time of year. But it's true that this time of drawing in has a particularly strong effect on our physical bodies and therefore also our spirits. I love the way this poem plays with time, too.
ReplyDelete" I remember, I remember,
and now all will remember this September
ending the war whose seeds sprouted
that September." May it be so.
Thank you, Heidi! I suspect many of us have a month for special sad & happy remembering!
DeleteLinda, I'm coming to read this late, after your poem shared today. I'm touched. It is strange when special days connect with sad days. 9/11 is my son-in-law's birthday. Since he was a boy, it's been shared with mourning. Peace to you this month; may you remember the good things.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about your son-in-law's birthday, too, on 9/11, Denise. It's a very mixed-up feeling day because I also remember my dear grandmother.
Delete