Out of Dust and Memories

(sorting out my aunt's home before selling)

frugality leaves a deep imprint

a lifetime impacted by ration books

with wartime evacuations

there are no excesses of living here

no shelves of reading to thumb 

through with an avid interest

no artwork on blue rose wallpaper

nor hidden jewels tucked away

in locked mahogany drawers

a noticed absence of photographs

apart from four framed and hanging

lifeless on a floral background

my paternal grandparents in

monochrome my great grandparents

in solemn splendour face me

stiff in their high starch collars

bringing a tear to a saddened eye

watered by ancestral heart strings

unexpected treasure found

case bound Chaucer's Canterbury tales

gold lettering bold on olive green

buried at the rear of a musty

wardrobe an award gifted to Albert

as a ten year old

for studies in English literature

the same Albert who recited

Tennyson to me in tender years

where i learned off by heart stanzas

from the Lady of Shalott igniting

my love for poetry

Reviews

[Aura]

It sounded as if there wasnt any personal touch in the home, no artwork or hidden jewelry, no shelves of beloved books. Was it becauae those were already sold or given away before you had the opportunity to sort through what reamined at your aunts house? Nonetheless, you capture a house void of life, just a structure filling a plot of land, where once, it used to teem with life. Thanks for sharing :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Aura. She never spent any money on anything other than basics. She led a very frugal life based on what the war years taught her. We can now ensure she does get a few luxuries which she deserves. Thank you for reading.

Chris

[Aura]

My pleasure

[redd Brick Keshner]

Breathtaking, a highway, a bridge, a pipeline direct from times past, through generations. My father who passed on this year (April 3) also loved poetry. He'd always say, 'poems should rhyme;' and later on, 'at least the better ones should.' But he never shared or read aloud this love of his. I chanced upon his cherished Complete Works of William Shakespeare, as a teenager, and began my ongoing love-hate relationship with the bard from Avon. The Lady of Shallot, though, was one of my early favourites, from primary school days. Today it still stands in my list of preferred poems of all time. Thanks for sharing. Frederick.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Frederick for your share. I love that poem The Lady of Shallot, it has wonderful memories for me. Pleased you stopped by with your thoughts.

Chris

[duff]

Your writing I admire so much. Tone and texture never fail to present itself. Splendid work.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duff. Always good to have you stop by. Have a great day.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

What a wonderful poem that cwlebrates the moms that make us who we are. there nothing more inspiring than that.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dale. Appreciate your review. Have a good day.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

What a beautiful light, you've written at the end of that dark tunnel of letting go. Having that kind of impact on others, is all we can really ask of this life. I enjoyed this very much, thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Travis for your lovely review. That book, a beautiful find on a sad occasion. Really appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It's always a pleasure.

[Sami Khalil]

"for studies in English literature
the same Albert who recited
Tennyson to me in tender years

where i learned off by heart stanzas"

[Chris Shaw]

Knew passages off by heart Sami. Can still remember chunks if it now :) Thank you.

[Sami Khalil]

:::::))))))))..........

[Sami Khalil]

"there are no excesses of living here
no shelves of reading to thumb
through with an avid interest"

[Chris Shaw]

The poverty of the war years influenced her life. She wasted nothing and saved her money, didn't spend it. Her frugality of living was sad. Thank you Sami.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Sad indeed. Did not get to enjoy that money. You are welcome.

[Sami Khalil]

An awesome picture of sweet bitter memories of your relative's house as you take us on a past journey to discover and find priceless things tucked away here and there. Then I think you are going to pass it on to others. I like the idea of ancestral heartstrings.
Awesome as usual.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami. Yes, a family heirloom, to be passed on down the line. I hope I can influence one of the younger generation in the same way to have a life long love of poetry.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I hope so. You are welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

maybe this is why I found that card, Chris...some kind of mutual karma between us.
I love this poem....and just relate so much right at this moment.
"We're so sorry, Uncle Albert!"

we are the lucky ones that your love of poetry was ignited...
look at all the beautiful work we get to read.
j.

[Gee]

You are so right Jacob, uncle Albert gifted us a jewel

[Chris Shaw]

How strange we should both find something with a strong connection to our past and our Grandfathers at the same time. Mutual karma, I like that idea. Thrilled you like this one J. If it hadn't been for Albert I would not have found poetry. Thank you J and you too Gee for your kind words. Made my Sunday you have :)

[Gee]

We can thank Albert for your writing then Christine, good man.
This reads like sorting through mums belongings after her passing, a few memories, photos, nowt of any value but her life summed up in the lack of jewellery, finery, everything brought was only ever needed, and no TICK !
Really enjoyed this , you have your muse back :)

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Gee. Not so sure the muse is back. Just a fleeting visit I think. Clearing out my aunt's flat. Has to be sold to fund her nursing home care. Yes I found that book awarded to my Grandad in 1914. It was him who inspired my love of poetry. Plenty of sorting at the moment. Both mum and aunt. Have a good weekend Gee and thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Robert Haigh]

Quite sad, but many of us witness such scenes at some time in our lives, and when dealing with such things that are left (precious to the deceased former owner, perhaps, but now mostly unwanted by all) we are left wondering what to do. We contemplate our own future demise as we get older, and wonder what will become of our own treasured items. A poignant write!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Robert for sharing your thoughts. Yes, it is sad going through someone's possessions. There is very little of my aunt's that will be kept, but I found some treasure when I found a bit of my Grandad. Not that is precious. That book is treasure to me. Appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Robert Haigh]

Anything that means something to someone is a treasure to that person. Glad you found that book.