Keepsake

A second write about the subject matter, originally penned ten years ago

when the lid opens
old hinges creak and groan
as contents of mum's heavy
wooden tea chest are left
to breathe in fragrance of
freesia wafting through the
sitting room

pass me downs
photographs documents
dog-eared certificates
discoloured creased with age
spanning a century of dead
relatives

I search
disturbing dust motes
for something special of
sentimental worth specific
to the date of my birth
buried in this musty treasure
trove

my father's wallet
well worn brown leather
ingrained with life last seen
three decades ago containing
a wrist band placed on
tiny me

on the day I was born
he was twenty one a soldier
he carried that band
till the day of his demise
my eyes scan in hope
for a stroke of good fortune

for he loved me
without conditions
and that simple pink tag
bearing the name he chose for me
is without doubt completely
priceless

Reviews

[Dave]

Beyond words are the wonderful memories we have of times past. Surely, you loved your father dearly and it's so obvious that he reciprocated that love. What a beautiful tribute and remembrance. This was a wonderful share , Chris.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Your review Dave is thoughtful and very much appreciated. Many tha js

Chris

[Lorry]

It is never the heirlooms that are remembered Chris, but the insignificant to all else things that flood us with memories. For me, it was my Dad's SOS talisman, a necklace he wore with his medical details. I wore it too, but took out the details in case I ever collapsed and was given his medication by mistake. Now I can't find it, which is a shame because I have all his old ailments 😊
My Mums old handwritten recipe book too. I swear it still smells of all its secret recipes.
It's my own personal "Ahh, Bisto!" moment. 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lorry, sorry for late response, had a very busy week. Also sorting my very elderly aunt's home out for sale at the moment, so I am having a year of finding bits of treasure. I enjoyed your Ah bisto moments too. Watched plenty of Scotland on TV earlier this week. Reminded me of visits to Edinburgh many years ago. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Good morning dear Chris,
Oh gosh do I ever relate to your words. I have gone through many parents things in hopes of finding something that shows our connection. (Although, I know we were emotionally connected)
I feel I should probably get rid of many small items..dog eared papers, etc. but I do not have the heart to do it. These things will mean nothing to anyone that happens upon them after I am gone, but to me they mean the world. They hold memories and those memories as you said are priceless.
I really enjoyed your heartfelt words.
Hugs, from Spain...Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Good early morning Lisa. Still sorting out lots of stuff left after my mum died. At least I can share it with my siblings, but it is so very difficult to part with anything:) Far too attached to it emotionally :) I know how you feel. Hoping you have a wonderful Sunday and many thanks for your lovely visit and hugs.. Much appreciated x

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome.
We had planned to go to the beach but the weather has turned cooler...
Lisa

[Nima.Hope]

What a beautiful tribute to your father dear Chris. You said he was a soldier when you were born. You mean he was a soldier in the World War II?
God bless him for the love he gave to you and I wish you the best.
Nima

[Chris Shaw]

My Dad had to do National Service Nima. Too young for WW2 and I am thankful for that. Many thanks for your visit and thoughtful review.

Chris

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

Do you still have National Service in the U.K? I thought we only have it in Iran lol!

[Chris Shaw]

Not any more Nima, only sometimes I think it might not be a bad idea :))

[Nima.Hope]

Poor boys lol!!

[Sami Khalil]

Priceless poetry, I may say.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly Sami. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

You too. You are welcome Chris.

[Sami Khalil]

I feel the deep connections in your emotive words. I sense the love eternal in your beating heart. I appreciate the priceless items left in your cherished possessions .

[Chris Shaw]

You understand my poem and I thank you for that sincerely Sami.

Chris

[Neville]

Absolutely priceless .. and that concluding stanza of yours is, in its own entirety, the perfect summing up of my own objective personal interpretation and opinion of this, most poignant of poems.

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your visit Neville and for your thoughtful and welcome review.

Chris

[Barbara Walker]

I felt the love he had for you, as well as your love for him. It just goes to show the priceless treasure within and the priceless poem without. Appreciated your descriptive words.

[Chris Shaw]

I very much appreciated your visit and kind words Barbara. Thank you very much. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Beautiful story poem about love of family and life in the past.Very moving write, enjoyable read ;-}

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you enjoyed my poem Weeping willow. Wishing you all the best and thanking you for the vidit


Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This poem is priceless too. It's so sweet and wonderful how the connection is drawn through your words. At the hospital where I was born the children were actually marked with beaded bracelets and I have mine. The boys were marked with blue beads on the end and the girls with pink, while the middle is all the letters of the last name. Love your poem. F.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit and for sharing the story of your blue beads Fabian. Have a good weekend.read moreThank you for your visit and for sharing the story of your blue beads Fabian. Have a good weekend.

Chris