This is a poem which I wrote for a writing exercise a few years ago. The task was to write a poem about a box. I chose the yellow shoebox which I keep things in to remind me of my mother.
I've found Mother's Day difficult to deal with since she passed away ten years ago. I didn't get to say goodbye and I miss her so much.
It's a way of remembering her
When it happened I gathered
Everything I could find
Associated with her
Photos, letters she'd sent to me
A letter I wrote to her after she'd gone
Sometimes if I want to think about her
I take off the lid and remove the contents
Sifting through
My favourite photograph is the one in France
With me, her and my sister
Smiling as we stand on a bridge
The letters make me laugh sometimes
Telling me what she's been doing
And telling me what I should be doing
My favourite piece of correspondence from her
Is a 21st Birthday card I recently found
I'd been searching for it since she'd gone
It said what I needed to hear
I am very proud to have a lovely daughter like you.
What a lovely tribute to your Mum, Anita. Thinking of you & lots of love to you x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jan.X
ReplyDeleteSays it all.
ReplyDeleteYou must have been young when your mum passed away. I can't imagine it.
Words can be great healers.
Laura xx
Thanks for your lovely comment Laura. I was 28, so not that young but do feel sad she didn't see me get married or meet my children. And it would be nice to ring her for a chat sometimes. Just putting this on my blog has made me feel better-writing is great therapy!X
DeleteI agree with Jan this is a lovely tribute to your Mum. Isn't it amazing how writing can be used as therapy - I am happy to hear it has made you feel better.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful memorial to your mother, Anita, and she would be very proud of you still.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosemary and Cathy for your lovely comments.
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant poem, Anita. I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sure she'd be very proud of you today.
ReplyDeleteHow very sad it is to lose a mother. This is a lovely tribute to her, Anita. Wherever she is, she'll be moved by it, I'm sure. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz X
DeleteThanks very much Talli.x
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, what a lovely tribute. I agree, wherever she is, she'll be smiling down on you and very, very proud of her daughter. I thought about you this morning - along with others who will be missing their mums today. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca, another lovely comment. I am lucky to have such great virtual friends!
ReplyDeleteI share your sadness Anita, since I lost my mum 3 years ago. It's lovely that you've written this poem for her. It's one of the great things about being a writer -- you can remember her in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment Monica. It is great to write about her and I may do some more now some time has passed.
DeleteThis made me cry Anita,what a lovely poem. I too have a box of memories I lost my mum eigth years ago and still miss her.
ReplyDeleteOh Anne, thanks for your lovely comment. Sorry you miss your mum too.X
DeleteVery touching poem Anita and a comfort for you on days like Mother's Day when you miss your mum even more. I've got a similar box of bits 'n' bobs I kept when my dad died but I find it hard to look inside even after five years. I hope that yesterday wasn't too difficult for you and your happy memories helped. x
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen. I find I have to be in a certain 'zone' to look inside that box as it stirs up a great deal of emotion. I was surprised at how little I had to put in it. Holidays and good times are what I remember most. I take loads of photos these days as they're great for jogging the memory.
DeleteThat's lovely, Anita. I lost my mum 6 years ago on March 17th - too close to Mother's Day. A few days after she died I had to go and get a Mother's Day card for my mother-in-law. We get through somehow, don't we. Don't know how, but we do. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks for your comment and sorry to hear about your mum. You were good to go and get that card for your m-in-law!X
DeleteAnita, I just tagged you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
DeleteThanks so much. Hope you don't mind if I pass. I've had 2 awards recently and think I've talked about myself far too much already!
Hi Anita,
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving poem and I am so sorry for your loss.
This may be inappropriate, but just to let you know, I have tagged you over on my blog as part of the lucky 7 meme challenge. It's a challenge for writers with manuscripts. Hope you can take part.
http://unpublishedworksofme.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/lucky-7-challenge.html
Hi Melissa, thanks for your comment and for the tagging. Will have a look.
DeleteAnita - I think this is not only a moving poem but a useful idea. My mother passed away two years ago this May and the memories of her I brought home - jewelry, pictures, letters, and keepsakes are still scattered around my house. I think I will find me a nice shoebox and gather them in!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Carol. Sorry to hear about your mother-glad this post has helped in some way.x
ReplyDeleteA very moving and lovely poem, Anita. I've read it several times now - it's beautiful. Much love x
ReplyDeleteThanks Elle for your lovely comment.x
Delete