there again

thinking of thanksgivings of the past....heavy sigh...

blue edges of the day before

my favorite holiday
so natural
invade shadows of a florida winter
childhood dreams crystallize
in the still warmth of a cup of tea


i turn back the corner of a memory
remembering a tucked in kiss
then offer a sacrifice of dandelion fluff
to the passing clouds


squinting back through the time tunnel
i drink it all in
childish voices hum the melodies of life
and for just a moment
i’m there again

Author's Note

artwork courtesy of pinterest

Reviews

[therisa]

Lydia, your poem brought childhood memories, of the times, my paternal side of the family, gather for the holidays, at my oma and opa place. Try imagining 26 first cousins, most under the age of 15, running around the house, getting into trouble, being their noisy selves. An aunt or uncle, telling us, to go outside and play. The smell of food would assault your senses, as soon as, the outside door was opened up. Hinting at the awaiting meal, soon to grace, your plate and stomach. Thank you, for bringing back, this memory to me, Lydia.

[Lydia Shutter]

Therisa, you described my childhood with this review. I called my grandparents "oma and opa". We are from Holland, but I know that is what German people call grandparents as well. Where is your family from? Thank you for sharing your memories...which reflected mine. Lydi**

[therisa]

My oma and opa, with 9 of their 10 children, emigrated to Canada, from Amsterdam, in 1952. If they had waited another year, Canada would have paid for their passage to northern Alberta. I know they came from northern Nederlands, but not entirely sure, what province or town, it was. Sadly, these family gatherings end, in 1996, when my oma past away, from cancer, she 2as 89 years young. I was, one of the 6 pallbearers.

[Lydia Shutter]

Very sad.....my Oma passed when I was only 8 and my Opa when I was 12, but I will never forget them. I am now an Oma to my granddaughters. Do you speak Dutch? I spoke it before I spoke English.

[therisa]

Sadly, only three of the cousins, in North America, speak Dutch. It was never encouraged by our parents. It was the language of adults, when they wanted to talk about something, without us, kids, knowing about it.

[Lydia Shutter]

Smiling here......my cousins and I all spoke Dutch fluently by the age of 3. It is music to my ears even today when I hear Dutch being spoken. Don't get the chance to use it often, though.

[therisa]

Except for one aunt, in North America, they all married Canadian spouses, thus English was the dominant language, at home.

[Beccy]

This is just exquisite. I especially love the first two lines of the second verse, they are so, so beautiful.

So many hidden gems to be found on the back pages of writer's cafe.

Beccy.

[Lydia Shutter]

Beccy, I so appreciate when someone reads a poem I posted a long time ago. Thank you very much. Lydi**

[Jimmy Yetts]

Nostalgic reverie movie-reeling fond memories can sometimes become vivid enough to seem like a virtual time tunnel and, ultimately--as you so lyrically indicate--a kind of teleportation device.
"There again" is one gorgeous and perceptive poetic creation, Lydi.
A decidedly gratifying read.

[Lydia Shutter]

Frankie, your reviews are just wonderful. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Clockwork]

Memory truly is a powerful time machine. The images in your poem really allowed me to travel through that time tunnel with you. I could almost hear those voices calling from those holiday tables.

A shiver of nostalgia passed through me when I read your third stanza. The idea of offering the dandelion fluff to Thanksgivings from your youth was truly profound. Beautifully penned.

[Lydia Shutter]

I am pleased you "felt" this poem. Thank you for the review. Lydi**

[AYVID N]

Sometimes I feel those memories are all the only real treasure we have. Nothing in life that happens after we grow can compare with that wonder and that magic. The poem is lovely in it's expressions with a tinge of sadness and longing that touches the reader. My favorite lines here...

"childish voices hum the melodies of life
and for just a moment
i’m there again"

A poem much appreciated Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

Divya, my memories are the gems in my universe. You are right, nothing can compare with what we had as children. Thank you so much for the review. I appreciate you. Lydi**

[ANTO]

"childish voices hum the melodies of life
and for just a moment
i’m there again" - really loved the whole poem but these hit me as Im a naturally nostalgic type.

Happy holidays Lydia :)

[Lydia Shutter]

The very same to you, Anto. Thank you. Lydi**

[Sanober]

Ahhh...Childhood memories. they are the warmest, aren't they. even if its just for a moment, the world is magical again. knowing nothing can ever change them, and nothing can ever bring them again. heavy sigh, indeed! holidays always make me blue and wistful too. it's not always a bad thing :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Remembering is important...as long as we are not lost in another time. Yes, holidays are not easy for a lot of folks...unfortunately. Thank you, Sanober. Lydi**

[Tiana]

A favorite holiday brings back such heartwarming memories we will always cherish ... Beautifully written, Lydi**

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Tiana. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... beautiful china with turquoise water
for tea and a sterling silver spoon are part of my
childhood memories. Turning back the cover of a
memory ... remembering a tucked in kiss... The rest
of the poem is delicately sprinkled on the blessings
of a Thanksgiving day. Lovely to know today you
will be landing on the Coast.
Welcome ... truly.... Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

How sweet of you to welcome me home with a review, Pat. Thank you so much. I adore your reviews....and you. Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

childish voices hum the melodies of life
and for just a moment
i’m there again

*sigh* Reaching for those memories, such a gift to hold them for that brief moment... This is a lovely and lyrical offering, Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Rita....the holidays bring on the memories as I said in a review of one of your poems. Enjoy the holidays...make new memories. Lydi**