Part Of Me

(family tradition, wear pearls for a funeral of a loved one)

Between the sheen of purple drapes

two necklace trees stand on a cill,

by day and night like sentinels.

Through summer warmth and winter chill,

a clutch of lifetime memories.

Within their arms they clasp and hold,

the chunky pinks, the greens and golds,

assorted beads that gleam in sun.

Some worn in sadness some for fun,

but all reflect a part of me.

A few are new, though most are old.

there's cheerful there as well as bold

and pearls for tears my Nan would say.

Each day a choice for me to find

what mirrors well my state of mind.

They may have come steeped deep in love

or caught on impulse as I shopped.

Some dropped quite helpless in my hands,

enhancement for a dress I'd bought,

yet all reflect a part of me.

One day dear girl, I'll fail to breathe,

don't grieve for me when I take leave.

Instead I ask you wear the pearls,

a smile my love and wear them well

when you say your goodbyes to me

Reviews

[Ardra]

Wear the pearls and smile.... beautifully done Chris... our loved ones never want us to be sad when they part.... nor do we want our loved ones to be sad when we part from this world.... a journey well lived....then maybe we can go with a smile too.....a min. Closer to death every minute passing....maybe we need to live love forgive and learn it's just a pathway to another world....

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ardra.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

family heirlooms mean so much...this is touching...reminds me of the theme of a story I teach in my 102 class..."Everyday Use" by Alice Walker...

we pass on to those who follow and hope they appreciate the meaning of our lives and what we leave behind.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks jacob. I'll take a look at "Everyday Use".

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Poignant write...and so beautiful! Difficult not to be sad when a loved one dies, but to have a tradition such as this is wonderful. Wearing pearls....yes, I think looking regally classic at a loved one's funeral is very apropos. I loved the imagery of the necklaces hanging. I could picture them. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Lovely review Lydi. Yes, regally classic, a good description. Black suit, old pearls. Fitting for a funeral of a loved one. Thank you so much.

Chris

[Crowley]

Sad and really lifting at the same time. A glimpse into the life and a perfectly painted one at that. This was about a simple thing but graced with a lot love and memories. Great Wiring Christine.

[Chris Shaw]

Glad you enjoyed this Crowley. Thanks

Chris

[Onlyme]

Death is such sorrow grieving emotion That no loved one. Wants their families to have to experience or go through. They want you to remember them well and happy. And cherish those golden moments forever. And tokens of love given to simply enjoy with them in mind

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dee for your thoughts. I hope each hour is kind to you today.

Chris

[Onlyme]

Thanks Chris. and like wise to you andyour family. Have a good one.