ONLY A MEMORY

What was, what is....

Out of the dark shadows of desolation

a glimmer of light brings a sense of purpose to life

to forget when time was irrelevant

only essentials mattered, survival

merely dismal daytime dragged on

until the sun went to sleep

so did we, candles flickering

 

Until, one day, lights emerged

and we knew there was hope

clocks blinked to confusion

our sense of time restored

the fury only a frightening memory

 

From green mountains to chaotic big city existence

where an abstraction of lifestyle

rages to its own beat

no clocks here

twenty-four hours of movement

bikers delivering food

people walking shoulder to shoulder

taxis swerving in and out of stalled traffic

horns honking day and night

police cars light swirling

merriment seems to flourish

we have come to be temporary city dwellers

our mountain friends scattered for safety and comfort

the impulse to return to those green mountains

Will depend upon our inner strength and indulgent

memories of what was

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

Reviews

[Writergurl]

I can really feel your sentiment in this write. very emotional and vivid imagery.

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you for your kind review
Warmly, B🌷

[Writergurl]

Not a problem. Enjoyed your day

[Writergurl]

I meant enjoy

[Thomas W Case]

You paint this scene so well. You bring it to vivid life.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Thomas for your kind review
Warmly, B

[Lorry]

It only takes one little cog to come loose before the whole shebang crumbles around us.
But hope is usually found in the strangest of places in the strangest of circumstances.
I hope you found enough to see you through! 😃

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you Lorry, for your concern…. we left and went to NY where we have an apt…. almost a month later, it looks horrible….🙏🙏🙏Warmly, B

[Pete]

something that my muse thoreau knew all too well and purposely left the town to go into the woods to write about. they say that it's darkest before the dawn. the waters eventually recede and we survey life and take stock of ourselves ever thankful.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Pete, your muse Thoreau is very wise…🌷
Warmly
B

[Neville]

You don't have to be Einstein to know what you are referring to here and so bloomin eloquently .. You have poemed a travesty Betty .. and my thoughts and my prayers are subsequently both with and for You and yours and your country .. Truly, Neville

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you Nevill for your complete understanding and very relevant review…
warmly,B🌷

[John the Baptist]

You were fortunate to have a place of refuge. Many did not.

[Betty Hermelee]

I know..and we're fortunate to have a second home!!!
Thanks John, much appreciated....
Warmly, B

[emmajoygreen]

Normally I don't quickly look at other's comments but saw what your writing referred to. (Already knew by general news and our exchanges) but chose to learn from more direct remarks. Things across the board have been and still are so terrible. Lives lost, terrible damage caused, Hope dazed, patience doubtful. Do you think, have you learned, that hurricanes are becoming worse than in the past? Wishing both you and each and every one of your widespread communities have more settled lives before Winter sets in. Like so many worldwide disasters, life can be hell. Your writing calls out to all of us to count our blessings and think of you daily. Hugs and prayers.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you my dear EM, always optimistic...gives people hope...and me too...
Hugs across the pond...xoxo

[emmajoygreen]

Has all been and still is so awful. Is easy to be optimistic when not involved. But admir all of you for coping.. somehow and maybe not just the once. God bless love. Tomorrow will be yet another unique arrival

[Ken Simm.]

This is so visual to my eye that it could be filmed.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Ken🎈
Warmly
B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Disasters cause us to be moved to a new way of life...even if it is temporary.

My 8 and a half years of living in NY City and my summers in Vermont taught me to want
a country life instead of the bustling, hustling, bristling one of the city.
I hope you can get back to where you are comfortable soon.
My sister keeps me posted on the restoration of Boone...Storms are black magic....
very dark.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks J for a very understanding review! We are comfortable in NYC and will stay until we get potable water in Black Mountaib
Warmly
B🙏❣️

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

Whoa!! I hope not you having to change your place of residence because of the recent happening in North Carolina and Tennessee. It is so tragic for those who are affected. So many deaths, still people missing and it will take so long to restore the area's damage. If it is you and your family that has been affected, I will be remembering you. Sara K

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much Sunflower, a very passionate comment and much appreciated... we are safe and away from NC for a while...
Warmly, B

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

So glad you are safe and away. Are you planning on rebuilding? Sara