I tripped over her memory yesterday.

I tripped over her memory yesterday.
I’d tucked it away beside the fireplace
where I used to sit as a child,
and there, while the adults poured tea and conversation flowed,
I would stare into the fiery abyss,
and watch the flames turn black rock, that had been a million years in the making,
into dust in no time at all.

Fire I realised from that early age was the ultimate alchemist,
unapologetically devouring with no emotion or concern
yet changing what it destroyed into warmth, light and magic,
creating a space where people wanted to gather,
catch up and honour the euphoria of firelight and family.

Still that fire glows within my memory
setting a spark to my thoughts and my soul.
It enables me to remember her;

She, the firemaker,
who had kept the flames burning through many winters
keeping her family warm
and setting a spark flickering in a child’s heart,
that would last a lifetime.

I tripped over her memory yesterday
and it made me smile.


©️ 2021 Lathen Griffiths

Reviews

[lightsong]

We read many poems about Nans and Grandmas, this one is special. Original and personal, it reaches to the essence of what a real Grandma is, the backbone, the source, the beacon, of wisdom, warmth, security, safety, love.... I guess that's why I wanted to be a Grandma even when I am not a Mom lol your second verse is outstanding, it speaks of life wisdom in a warm and loving way.

Enjoyed reading this my friend, so wonderful~

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you Lightsong, I feel blessed to have known such a wonderful person.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Lathe, a treat to call and read this piece again. Beautiful. I have to say it is a delight to see you again on the board. Have a great Christmas.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

What a beautiful poem with vivid imagination. I remembered going to my grandma's village in Alborz mountains and as a child I would bring wood to the house and I would sit on her hand-woven carpet and wacth the traditional fire place.....It's very good to convert our sweet common memories into poems.
Specially these days that human has to deal with many daily problems,both physically and mentally.
I emjoyed this poem Lathen.
R.I.P Nan Edith
Best Regards
Nima

[Chris Shaw]

I love this poem Lathe. It has so much warmth to it and it was well worth a return visit. I think Nan Edith would be very pleased with this tribute and that she can still make her grandson smile. You know you are missed when you aren't posting. I was pleased to see this earlier poem out for a breath of air today. Have a lovely weekend.

Chris

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you Chris, she was down to earth, a beautiful person, I miss her. I find myself working on my music at the moment, I’ll hold my hand up in that I’m easily distracted, I find myself constantly in between things. Poetry I like, Music I love …
It’s finding the time I suppose to find a balance…


All the best to you Chris.
Lovely to hear from you,

Lathe

[Chris Shaw]

Good to know you are OK and concentrating on your music. Take care Lathe.

[Robert Haigh]

A warmly written and deeply personal poem, but one I can relate to. I remember my maternal grandmother in much the same way. Visiting at weekends, when other family members would be there too. An open fire in the front room. The adults playing cards, and the children all playing with one another. Magical memories.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you Robert, wonderful memories.

[vivek_singh]

It seems so real I must say you felt it and wrote your memories. It's not a poetry it's the rhyming heartbeats

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you for your review Vivek_Singh,

Best wishes

Lathen

[KAREN]

This poem is so beautiful and heartfelt. The memory is a touch of warmth!
I tripped over her memory yesterday
and it made me smile.
BEAUTIFUL!!!

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you so much for your kind words Karen,



Lathen

[KAREN]

You're welcome!

[Chris Shaw]

This poem exudes warmth, all the way through. It really is a lovely memory of family and how the fire place was the focal point for gatherings. My mind wandered to the coalman and how the delivery of coal would be dispatched into the cellar. Black lumps of coal which always dirtied hands if touched. Your lines also had me thinking of my nan Eva, who would clean out the ashes and lay a new fire each wintry day. I remembered making paper fire lighters with her out of old newspapers. Thank you for your poem and for where I drifted to Lathe.

Chris

[Lathen Griffiths]

There are certain memories that pop up when I think of my Nan, coal fires, an outside lavvy and a mangle that we used to try and squeeze our fingers through as kids (ouch!) and of course, first and foremost just how lovely she was. She also had a coal bunker like your nan Eva, memories are so precious.

Take care Chris and thank you,

Lathe

[Relic]

The poem itself radiates a warm feeling by the end. I like the metaphor a lot. This is a really well thought out poem. :)

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you


Lathen

[M. J. Smith]

Wonderful thoughts in that most amazing of all people; a mother. Beautiful images. Who Among us has not in our childhood been fascinated by a fireplace? The look, the smell, and yes, the companionship. Another amazing poem.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Many thanks

Lathen