Remembering

for my Grandma, who passed away fifteen years ago this month. She is always in my heart and mind.

A decade and a half later,
I still remember the love
that shone from your eyes,
the tranquility of your repose;
and the butterfly I found
trapped in the conservatory,
that I set free, then watched,
as it settled on your favourite

rose bush; stilled, as if waiting.

For a time, my heartbeat
had sped faster than the

wings of that little butterfly.
Then, there was only silence,
a connection beyond words,
imprinted forever in memory,
as we spoke about the world
you had left behind;
the journey you were making
and how love binds stronger
than steel and cannot rust.

The funeral itself was distant,

a half smile playing on your face
I imagined; as voices made
little fusses, then faded.
But for me, a decade
and a half later, nothing
has faded. The love still
shines from your eyes;
and I have never had to
ask myself, for how long?

For my grandma.

Who along with so much else,
introduced me to the joy of poetry.

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

This is what happens when "remembering" flows through the pen of a poet. Such sincerity in this piece, Beccy, and it flows naturally beginning to end. This rises well above being a tribute to a lost loved one. I can see this poem on paper, folded neatly in her hands, to keep forever. So glad this is the first poem I read this morning.

[Beccy]

Thank you so much for your lovely reply. Aside from being just the most loving person imaginable, Grandma was a poet also. Along with her book collection, (mostly poetry,) her notebooks filled with poetry were also passed to me. I still read through them from time to time and they are very precious to me.

[R.E. Ray]

You're welcome. I always enjoy your work.

[Lale]

This poem is so beautiful. I lost my grandfather few months ago and I can still voice echoing in my ears. I miss him so much. Thank you for sharing.

[Beccy]

Grandparents are so very special; the pain of loss will ease, as it has done for me over the past decade and a half, but the memories will last forever.

Beccy. X

[Lale]

Thank you..

[Terpsichore]

This is a deeply personal poem, that clearly came straight from the heart. Just like phil.m, I haven't really got the words to do it justice. Sufficient unto the day, for me to say that it is one of the most beautiful and moving tributes, I have ever read.

Your depiction of that butterfly, stilled, as if waiting on your grandma's favourite rose bud, has imprinted a quite indelible image in my mind.

T

[barleygirl]

WOW! WOW! WOW! This is the most powerful tribute for someone who's passed, that I've ever read. This is amazing on many levels, the butterfly symbol, so delicately played out in your storytelling, but most of all, it's the way you sorta "dismiss" all the dark stuff most people mention, surrounding death, & you stay in the light in a big way, remembering with big bold strokes of color, altho your message itself is demurely stated. This pounds with the power of what you're saying. I'm happy you had this kind of grandparent experience! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Beccy]

Thanks Margie. Still miss her terribly, but there is no 'dark stuff' surrounding her memory, and I am so pleased that you saw this. She was a shining light to all, just a lovely person, which is how she will always be remembered.

[Jibey]

A lovely memoir... of a grandma whose spirit touched your own... I loved the phrase 'the tranquillity of your repose.. and the image of the steel that cannot rust... Such memories are life-long treasures.

[Neville]

a genuinely beautiful and revealing testimony to the ache that clearly never really goes away upon the passing of a much loved Grandma... I know these words to be true ..

Neville x

[Jimmy Yetts]

Took a great soul to create this poem.
Even a greater soul to inspire it.
Deeply touching, poetess.

[Einstein Noodle]

how beautiful, Beccy! very tender and moving for me .. you are fortunate indeed to have been able to develop your relationship with Gram. We lived far from mine and went "back" to visit every two years for a couple weeks. Never enough time of course and as a child my only interest was to stay on the farm with cousins and run with the bulls ;) a lovely lovely lovely tribute, Beccy ... we should never forget the faces of our ancestors .. your sharing brings what i do remember of them quickly to mind .. thanks for sharing ..peace and love
E.

[Beano]

A touching and heartfelt poem, Beccy. The final stanza captures to perfection how those who we love are never truly gone.