"Ever Hold A Rainbow?..."

Questions and memories...

What's important?  I mean it, "What's important to you?" and it CAN even be, "Who is important - to you?" I know what matters and mattered, and each whom so far, and all the whys - to me.  I've given "night thoughts" and footwear, callouses and blisters, and very real bits-and-pieces of me for my importances.  I've lived daymares, bit my tongue.  I've stood up in front of god and the world and said "Hell NO!"  I've put 'things' I wanted back on shelves and bought needs.  For a while I even stopped being "I-centric"... So "What's important?" to you.  Isn't it time you paused and really became aware?

To the "younger ones": you're growing - and its a pain yeah, yeah, yeah... bla-bla-blah BUT I'm not asking you what someone else THINKS... I'm asking YOU to think for yourself and right now - not tomorrow, or some later.  "What's important to you - for real and not some idealistic, book_expectation, lesson-plan dictated, philosophical-brown-nose bull or to-please-a-teacher-parent-boy-girl-friend or even your frickin dog... This is about YOU.  "What is important to you?"

As for the rest - well, take a minute.  Focus AND MEAN IT!  "What matters to you?  What's important?"

I didn't ask for ANY whys.  Nor am I trying to GIVE you any OR sell a bill-of-goods.  No hidden agendas.  No save the worlds or asking you to reach into pockets or wallets for crap... I'm just asking each of you to think and answer- for and to YOUR self, right now, "Whats really important to you?"

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...
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"Are you done now?  Was that really so very hard?"

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"Ever Hold A Rainbow?..."

I buried Tweety - in a shoebox
it had cottonball cushioning - for eternity
and all of her tweety-things -
I knew she'ld be lonely and
need things to play with...

I buried her under the metal outside stairs
so the rain wouldn't make her feathers wet and
so the sunlight wouldn't get too hot
on even summer days.  

I held a full ceremony
my sister - Judy - was there...
we bowed our heads and everything.
Even had a moment of silence - for remembering
"Tweety"...
It was good and we cried
...and forgot - the way children do
and later remembered - the way adults do

and understood

how important it was to have,
to let go,
to remember ...what's important
and when.

I told mom when she got home from work

...but she didn't cry.
The birdcage ...went away
like everything else.

Chris

Author's Note

Feel free

Reviews

[emmajoy]

What's important? Loving my brothers and sisters, remembering our parents, being 'there' for not just family but other people, our community and, best possible, our world; trying to remember I'm not alone on this earth; remembering what i learned that didn't seem important at the time, like that itsy spider who tried, tried and tried again; following a path prepared to climb styles or turn corners; looking at silver seas and all-coloured clouds, knowing they touch all of us at some time in some form or other; remembering that love is not only passion but holding hands, whispering words in the night whenever ..

Your rainbow still shines and shines, so does your (Tweety) - and always will.

See what you do, you make people think and cry a little, smile and think even more.. bless you.

[Hayley]

I love the insight, how philosophical it is as a whole. My favorite lines were "and later remembered - the way adults do
and understood
how important it was to have,
to let go,
to remember ...what's important
and when."

It is important when, but it's all a question of how. This really made me think, applied it to my own life. Very interesting the way you incorporate the whole idea for the poem with Tweety. Perfection.

[Ruth]

You make your reader embrace everything they didn't think they could, or rather everything they attempt to shut off...wisdom from your heart and soul shines forth brighter than any star I shall ever be blessed to know for this is truth and portrayed with elegant impact...I am carrying this around in my heart today!
xoxo

[Rae Elizabeth]

I love this poem... I like how it proves how a child's innocence can show a whole different viewpoint than an adults. Beautiful. :)

[?]

I adore the way you write. You bring the reader to a pause...you make us think...ponder...and pause again. Such a thought provoking piece.
If I was to answer your question, I guess it would be like most others...most other wives and mothers and grandmothers, for the family. But even deeper than that it would be for the heart and souls of each hurting, lonely, starving, homeless, childless, parentless person. My heart cries for those without. Anyway now that you made me not only pause but tear up a bit...I truly enjoyed this piece and the poem at the end reminded me of a childhood memory also, very similar.
Awesome thoughts again

[asdarkeyesclose]

to answer your question, my husband and the kids that is what is important to me. this brought back memories of my rabbit that died. i love the way you challenge us as human beings in your poetry and leave us stronger for it. stunning!

[Rene Velez]

It's just eeiry reading this write, I wrote something I was toying with, didn't really want to bother posting it, because when I wrote it it was more rambling thoughts on paper but it focused on the exact same question...I think I may post it now....Chris what can I say I am always mesmerized by your work, this is amazing, just glad I was lucky to be born at the right time line to enjoy this...

[WhiteWillow]

Wow, this piece really got me thinking.

I read the first part, and being a wife and mother, I answered, "My family is what's important." To protect, to guide, to teach, and to love are my responsibilities, and what I treasure the most.

Then I read the second part. And it reminded me that in order to be a good parent, I must remember what its like to be a child.

That's the simplest way I can explain what this piece says to me, but trust me, it spoke to me on a much deeper level. Sincerest thanks.

[Ed Hart]

strong write, Chris...good stuff

[Emily B]

oh, chris . . .