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

[Katrina Mckeown]

Freesias wafting through the sitting room… my mum loved Freesias !
I love your poem it’s full of nostalgia and a treasure chest of keepsakes to enjoy.
Beautifully penned.
Katrina

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Katrina. Your visit and comments are greatly appreciated. Have a good weekend.

read moreThank you Katrina. Your visit and comments are greatly appreciated. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Katrina Mckeown]

Your very welcome Chis ,
I hope you have a great weekend :)

[John the Baptist]

Holding on to the past is one thing, being blessed by it is another. When times get rough, things like that wrist band remind us of what is of true value. That everyone in this often harsh world might have such a memento.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. Losing my mum this year and sorting out my very elderly aunt's flat for sale has revealed all sorts of treasure. Yesterday at my aunt's I found photographs of my grandparents and great grandparents I have never seen before. Such a gift. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

I'd have to say you are lucky to have these mementoes
when my father passed, for whatever reason, my mother got rid of all his mementoes and many of hers, then she developed Alzheimer's and unfortunately, much of their shared history faded away with her.
Such is life.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Dave. How sad for you. Sorting out my mum's estate and also clearing my aunt's flat for sale has revealed all sorts of treasures. Only yesterday I came across photos of my grandparents and great grandparents I had never seen before while doing some flat clearance. Lovely bits of nostalgia for sure.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

Chris this is a priceless, timeless piece. Each line is filled with so much genuine emotion. I read it a half dozen times simply in order to soak each line to its fullness. I know exactly what you mean (am there in time with the beautiful lines) I search/disturbing dust motes/for something...
that so perfectly sums up for me why we write.
Bravo, my friend, this one's been saved in my collection of poetry I admire and wish I'd written

Ken e

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Ken. I am so pleased this poem touched you and that you read it so many times. Delighted you have saved it too. That means alot. Your words and visit are very much appreciated.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... the Fragrance of Freesia is perfect for the Treasures you have discovered. A generation and more of Keepsakes. The birth certificates... are priceless. The imprints of Hearts are in your keeping. Be still and remember.... "return to sender". Love and devotion... Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, thank you for your thoughtful and warm review. So many certificates of births, deaths, marriages. They are fascinating. I have many treasures. Yesterday I was sorting out my elderly aunt's flat for sale and came across more. Photographs of my grandparents and great grandparents I have never seen before. That was a thrill. Sending warm wishes and love to you across the pond.

Chris

[Anushka joshi]

You are so good ... You personified the objects and brought them to life .... And your poems seem to be easy but it needs some great skills ...
Aj

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your very kind review Anuska. I appreciate both your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[Andrew John]

How often does one gaze at such keepsakes? How often does one wish to put them to one side and leave them there, but to take them in the hand again, gaze, gaze? It is, though, something of a treasure trove.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. Yes, to be able to pick those treasures up and reflect on what has gone before. I consider a real gift. I appreciate very much your thoughts and visit.

Chris

[Bryan Sefton]

I was so filled with nostalgia on reading your poem. In fact I was stood behind you, looking over your shoulder. Our chest is a drawer filled with treasured junk that sends you into the past every time you pick something up. There is a big biscuit tin filled with baptism and Sunday school certificates. Letters from my Dad, sent from the battlefields, (he joined the army in 1932 for twenty two years) my uncle Albert told me he cried when he had to leave because he was wounded. The letters are all reduced in size to four or five inches square, one apologising to his mother for "our Bryan breaking their teapot and " I'll stop it out of his spending money when he's old enough to get some. "

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bryan, thank you for your lovely review. I was touched to learn about your own treasures and understand how you appreciated my poem. Your own letters from your Dad are priceless.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

I have moved around so much with so many ups and downs I have few keepsakes left so I am envious of your treasure trove.
Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Winston. Certainly alot of interesting documents and letters which have proved fascinating. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Such a beautiful poetic moment shared in these remarkable words of reminiscence. Your words draw a poignant moment artistically, Chris. One relatable, most human, and love defining.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Carlos for your thoughtful comment. My mum's tea chest has been a source of much interest and fascination. Still wading through the contents. Hope you are keeping well.

Chris