In All These Little Things

The secrets we keep can hold life altering pain for others long after we are gone.

In All These Little Things

(Mementos)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

 

In a box hidden away from the world

Filled with tokens of desire and sorrow 

In remnants of past haunted affections

Within little things taken and borrowed 

Novelties poignant hoarded by heart

Foibles strewn in secretive reliquary

Reminders of the piece of us so hidden

In the depths of our souls that we bury

But what should come to light; affirm

Amongst the things we seek to conceal 

For purloin passions breed broken hearts

In unhappiness and angst that's revealed

Old love letters wrapped in red ribbon

Hidden from view of the past

Yet time has a way of revealing its truth

In the webs of the lies that we cast...

Author's Note

"Mommy issues!" my muse Cate asked me, while rocking my old body in her arms like a baby.
"Why, no. Why would you ask?" I said and than requested her to hand me my pacifier on the nightstand by my bed. Oedipus Rex...I hardly knew him? It is strange the lies and secrets kept hidden can profoundly effect generationally. Pain has the lasting effects to last beyond our lives and choices. Feel free to comment, troll, or leave kind thoughts. CLE

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

No lie can withstand time. Profound truth to be had in the fracture of your language. And your notes just make it all so much more intriguing! I'm beginning to wonder if Cate is creation or reality? Maybe both!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I often wonder about her too. Perhaps she's a fractured portion of my troubled psyche; the anima to my animus. Or an embodiment of all the strong female influences in my life. Conversations with her can be a bit unnerving because she knows what I'm going to say before I say it. Silence is usually my best weapon against her. But I do often wonder is she more real than I myself realize? I'm going to try to refrain from thinking too much about her. I don't want to be put in a straight jacket...again. Hehe Thank you kindly, William, for your thoughts on this poem.

[Death's Poet]

The cadence and word choices add so much to this poem. While the flow is very readable, the word choices denote a mature, and intelligent speaker. But further than that, the cadence has a sudden, almost startled quality. There's something about the end of the lines that have punch. I enjoyed reading it. Well done

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly for taking the time to read and comment on this piece. You have a very observant eye which is not surprising because most writers can see things in art that may be ambiguous at first glance. After completing this work I took a few days reading it. I felt that in the couplets their voice seemed to splinter. One describing a found item, while the other hinting at a mystery best kept hidden. It caught me a bit off guard and left me feeling unsettled. It is in our nature to hold onto past items that may hold sentimental value but also a darker destructive truth. I have seen it occur in my life. It can devastate families for generations. To me this ambiguous piece speaks of that nature in some way. It starts out light and ends revealing a possible nefarious nature. It drew me in even as the writer it still holds mystery. Thank you again for your comment I really appreciate it.

[Death's Poet]

Splinter is such an apt word to use, but beautifully splintered.
And of course, it was a pleasure to read. Can't wait to see you post more. All the best.

[Soren]

Well written. Such wonderful words of wisdom revealing the hidden psyche and subconscious. Well penned.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Soren for your comment on this poem. I feel this piece can be interpreted in many different ways. There is an ambiguous nature that leaves up to the reader on what they may ascribe or take from this work. In some ways s I feel the couplets seem to splint into two distinct voices. As if one is discovering something secret while the other hints at the possibilities of these hidden treasures defining secrets best kept to mystery. As if something illicit that could destroy everything if it comes to light. As human beings we can't help but hold on to objects of past mistakes because of the emotional resonance they may hold dear to us despite their destructive nature. I have seen such things happen and the misfortunes that have devastating impact for generations to come. Being both the finder of a box and the revealer of its mystery. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me on this piece.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

A well-written poem, Carlos. I read it twice. Nice title as well, shows good perspective. You educated me with the word Purloin: "steal (something)". Thank you for that. I also liked the red ribbon tieing the old letter. Was your muse always named Cate? I thought it was something else, but I don't recall. NIce reading another poem of yours. tyfs

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Cyprian for the kind words on this piece. Yup, my muse has stolen the visage of the Australian actress Cate Blanchett. She haunts my dreams and waking hours, most times not in a good way. I feel very much like her gimp tied to her hand by a long black leather leash. She enjoys pina coladas but hates getting trapped in the rain. She scares me something fierce but look beguiling in her long red stiletto heels. The one thing she most takes pleasure in is antagonizing me about my past and family issues. I guess she just knows the right buttons to push in order to inspire me to write. Thank you so much my friend for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this piece. I truly appreciate it.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

You're most welcome. I got to get me a muse personified:)