delft blue afternoon

visiting Holland again after many years...memories flooded back

photo taken by me in zaanse schans in the netherlands may 2019

the sun peeks through a cloud

like a sequin in the sky

it sparks a memory

i am magically  transported 

to a once upon a time of long ago

i take a bite of the the tastes 

still wrapping my tongue in love

i see wooden shoe images 

turning on the blades of windmills

and hear the language of my childhood

i am your little girl again

how fortunate i am

my ewer of memories

holds potent potables

on this nostalgic delft blue afternoon

a bit overwhelmed

i really thought i held the perfect words

in the palm of my hand

but in a split second of poignant understanding

i knew all i held were scattered letters

and a heavy sigh

yup, there's a 50% chance of melancholy

as i walk here again

but i wouldn't have it any other way

              

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is a great personal share! I loved being taken on this journey of melancholy with you! I was teetering on these two ideas -- seeing Holland (which I'm not familiar with) in your personal details & then again, thinking about how I also feel permanently connected to the land where I grew up. I had to look up "delft" & this is an image-provoking title! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lydia Shutter]

My entire family is from the Netherlands...Holland. I was the first born on US soil. My dad used to say, "made in Holland, born in the USA!" Dutch was my first language and there is no one left for me to speak it with anymore. My family is all gone. Being in the Netherlands and hearing the language, seeing the sights, tasting the foods again, well, it was wonderful and sad all at once. Thank you, Margie. Lydi**

[barleygirl]

This is a beautifully enthusiastic share! I'm feeling you! *smile*

[Patricia Wedel]

A year later... still so melancholy and beautiful.
The Wooden Shoes... Windmills turning...
Colors of Tulips and a breeze of divine remembrance.
It is lovely to read your poetry. tenderly, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

So sweet of you to dig back into the archives for this one, Pat. thank you so much. Lydi**

[adichie]

Like a sequin in the sky... your title phrase... a 50% chance of melancholy... and many more twists of phrase. Your heart is in no way hidden behind a wall of pretentious words. Both heart and words coexist elegantly and economically in a powerful near brevity.

Lovely, lovely!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you once again, adichie. I appreciate your lovely review. Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

Such a revealing write. A glimpse into a porcelain past. These words fit and take us the readers on a very special journey.

[Lydia Shutter]

As always, I appreciate your review, Ken. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

What a wonderful flow of memories you've shared.. full of fondness and colour, moments recalled even though that gentle melancholy touching you hasn't really drowned the past. I first saw windmills when young and ever since have wanted to own and live in one! There's something timeless about them and also the warmth of their once pon a time friendship with the weather... though nowadays the sails can be mechanised, but shhh - don't tell. Your words somehow expand Holland's space upon space. You're such a fine writer..

[Lydia Shutter]

My dear Emma, you make me feel so special. Thank you so very much. Lydi***

[kentuck14]

A very different, and beguiling, travel-log . . . Thank you for taking us with you on your visit to your homeland (?) Well phrased, great images and a bit revealing of yourself. Congratulations.
Tom

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Tom. Lydi**

[Robert Trakofler]

One of my favorite phrases is... "home is where you hang your hat" bunny loves hats! Under your hat and from your pitcher came a lovely set of lines and the feelings poured out onto the paper the bittersweet sense of coming home... but i bet once you hung your hat some wonderful feelings came out too

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much. Lydi**

[R.E. Ray]

The sky constantly changes but the views remain the same, untouched by age. The sun, moon and stars seem to transport us to the past, the good and the bad, as conveyed in your poem. Love the photo, too.

[Lydia Shutter]

I appreciate your review. Thank you. Lydi**

[Stella Armour]

Ah Delftware blue is lovely, and what lovelymemories came flooding back for you...

Melancholy of a sort is not a bad thing when evokes tears of past happy days .. :)

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so right, Stella. Thank you! Lydia**

[Neville]

I for one am so glad you had the opportunity to return to the Netherlands where there is so much family history & which clearly had a remarkable impact on you with corresponding and understandable strong emotions flooding forth.. and thanks for sharing the experience... I have a personal fondness for Holland myself and only wish I had been able to get back to seem my dear friend Cornelius before his recent passing just outside Amsterdam .... Neville

[Lydia Shutter]

So sorry about your friend, Neville . May his memory be a blessing. Thank you for your review. Lydi**

[Neville]

you are most welcome Lydi** and thank you... N