old

old is the small of lavender,

washed faces, the dust brown

of waxed furniture, bouquets

of veined hands that hide pearls

in indian boxes, alongside cameras

that fled across years, heavy-eyed ;

then there is you,the way you change,

you are half of these years, not just

the ebb, but a wave never slight.

Reviews

[R J Askew]

This evokes memories of a small box camera that used to sit in a chest of draws. My father must have carried it to Gibraltar, South Africa and India with him. The camera is long gone, as is my father, but small photos remain, black and white. I also have an old sewing box from another side of the family. More memories, connections. And polished furniture. The notion of polishing a large piece of brown furniture with beeswax would seem odd to most now. And here we are, living too fast to live deeply perhaps.

[Leslie Philibert]

Thank you for your fine review, that in itself is a fine piece of prose, considered and excellently written. My best wishes, and thanks.

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goe..]

old age is often hated because it supposedly makes people look worse; i'm glad this poem avoids this cliched thinking by implying that olden items can still be cherished - by being pretty or being a symbol of stability

[Coyote Song]

A very emotional poem. Very strong. I like the imagery, it fives the sense of old thought words.

[Valentine]

This is really good. Wish I had stumbled upon it long ago. Valentine

[Ruth]

Leslie, you grant a Poet's heart extreme happiness by reading your words...you have such a talent I am left in awe after reading you...so fragile yet resolute...beautiful :)

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

One life force is always blessed when joined with another. Two breaths that mingle in life leave an energy unparalleled.

[Leslie Philibert]

My thanks for looking at this, and your comment is exactly right ; two lives.

[Tina Kline]

This is an incredible poem. The images crate the essence of what you re writing about. Very impressive.

[Leslie Philibert]

Dear Tina, pleased you liked this, and as ever, my best wishes and thanks.

[Tina Kline]

You are most welcome Leslie.