Mom Boxes
It's been
five years, one hundred
forty two days and
four and one half hours
(give or take)
since you left.
I have boxes that
store my memories -
good and bad.
I sometimes mix them up -
thinking I'm opening
the 30th birthday box
and there you are -
five years, one hundred
forty two days and
four and one half hours
ago (give or take).
Frantic,
I open boxes
willy nilly
only to find you
there in all of them.
Here is my wedding day,
and here is that trip
to look at colleges,
and the time I busted my chin,
and the time you came to Africa,
and there you are just beyond
the window where I can't
see you anymore.
I am a woman grown
and it's been
five years one hundred
forty two days and
four and one half hours
(give or take),
and obviously
(obviously),
we aren't done yet,
are we?
This poem is part of One Stop Poetry's One Shot Wednesday poetry gathering, where all poets are welcome to share. Make the rounds!
Ohh..i have my boxes too,my memories hide there with the people who made them..i open them to bring them all back..but they don't.still i love my boxes..and i keep my memories in my heart..this one brought tears to my eyes.but it is really very touchy.
ReplyDeleteWow, another tribute to mom - monkeyman did one too....Moms are so special - very nice write....blessings to you and your family....bkm
ReplyDeletethis is just beautiful bug...no you are not done...and hope every time you find her it is a pleasant surpise...smiles. thanks for linking up and sharing your special remembrances...
ReplyDeleteMovingly beautiful, Dana. There is no such thing as closure (I *hate* that word). One never truly recovers from a loss as tragic as this, the pain is still there and as every day passes, we miss our loved ones even more. Your poem was endearingly poignant and wonderfully heartfelt.
ReplyDelete"and there you are just beyond
ReplyDeletethe window where I can't
see you anymore."
Beautiful. Felt those lines big time. Thanks for sharing this one, bug
make me teary.
ReplyDeleteahh...the boxes. well done.
ReplyDeleteWe have boxes just like that -- mine, hers, our two boys' -- boxes of memories waiting to live again. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without such boxes?
ReplyDeleteWhile cleaning out the attic last week, my husband came across a bowl in a box of other things. He pulled it out and asked, "Can this go to Goodwill?" I did a bit of a double take and said, "No, that's my mother's bowl." A person just can't part with everything.
ReplyDeletethat was a very moving piece..by sharing it with this verse you have enhanced those memories..many thanks Pete
ReplyDeleteI love these pics. You are so totally adorable - such an open face (then and now). Gotta go check out Dr. M's blog. Very cool that you seduced him into joining our galaxy. Oh yeah!
ReplyDeleteso sweet how you open up the mom boxes and share your memories...enjoyed it a lot - and thought of my own boxes, that wait to be opened..
ReplyDeleteI love the repetition of time
ReplyDeletean echo
past and present
time traveling of sorts
been there..you captured it brilliantly
may I keep this one for my journal?
I so loved it
Just beautiful. You will never be done. And I see that as a blessing.
ReplyDeleteWe all need boxes, we all need lofts even if they are not physical.
ReplyDeleteA great piece
Being a mom is the best even having the boxes is an honor to store precious things there.
ReplyDeleteOne day there will be little ones to open the boxes up with.
Thanks for sharing this with us at One Shot
Love from the Moon
What you're really opening when you open those boxes is the memories in your heart. It's nice to know they're there, even if they don't always make us feel glad.
ReplyDeleteDana you have writen a wonderful poem. Such great visuals. I can feel you unpacking those boxes.
ReplyDeletePowerful poem- imagistic about images; the moments of our lives and our best way to date to travel backwards in time. What a sweet homage to your mother. Very poetic.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
A beautiful poem, and yes, powerful. In my experience there is no being done --- there are transitions, there is gradual acceptance, and eventually there is a softness in the place where it used to hurt... Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteYou both look so happy. Great poem of memories of your Mom. My Mom passes about 6 1/2 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThat photo is awesome! And this poem touched my heart. Thank you for sharing your Mom Boxes.
ReplyDeleteI love it Bug. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI love your Mom tribute, too. They permiate our existence.
ReplyDeleteYep, I've got them too, both literal and figural. Sometimes I think I'm opening a happy box and end up blubbering like a baby. My mom's been gone 13 years now, and those boxes still can catch me by surprise.
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful and touching. Many thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour wonderful poem touched me deeply. A beautiful write.
ReplyDeleteLovely , nostalgic walking down memory lane..
ReplyDeletesuja
Very nicely crafted. I love the repitions in it and little snapshots, like lifting the lid off each box for a quick peep. And the ending, implying more to come. Excellente!
ReplyDelete