Irreplaceable Loss

realizations of loss

Sometimes things represent the irreplaceable
I lost such as this on Monday
A set of My Bookhouse books from the 1920's
They belonged to my dad's parents

The books themselves are replaceable . . . for a price
What they represent isn't replaceable
My grandparents, my dad's parents, were old when I was born
My dad was fifty at my birth, his parents in their twenties when he was born

Those books represent a link to my past
That link can't be easily replaced
I have my memories but they grow dimmer as the years pass
Granddaddy passed when I was nine, Dad and Grannie when I was nineteen

As irrational as it is I feel I lost a part of myself in the fire
I have my memories . . .
-being lifted from briers and being set upon my Granddaddy's strong shoulders and feeling safe there
-watching my Grannie's hands as she tatted and played the piano
-time spent with my Dad in the garden, tending animals or just watching a spider build her web and feeling at peace with the world

I know that I'm going to a new chapter of my life leaving most of my old life behind
Just a few mementos will go
-Grandmothers electric butter churn
-Grannie's treadle sewing machine
-Grandmother and Pawpaw's couch
-the bookcase my Dad and Granddaddy made during the depression
one that can be taken apart and stored flat so they could carry them door to door.
-flower cuttings from my mom's plants
-a cedar chest my brothers made me

I am at peace with this
At long last I see a light ahead of me
The darkness is receding behind me
Soon I will once again be on my way
Following a call only I can hear
I have to follow it lest it fade away

Author's Note

Not really a poem, but in poetic layout, perhaps more prose . . .

The photo is of my dad's parents and the oldest 5 children. Dad is the little boy standing behind Grannie. My middle brother looked just like him at that age.
Left to right: Aunt Lee, Aunt Nancy, my namesake, Aunt Norma (she died when she was 3 or 4, and Aunt Jean. Uncle George was born a year or so later followed by Uncle Bob, Uncle Bill and Aunt Bertie.

Reviews

[Eagle Cruagh]

Your loss is heart breaking.
I sometimes think of people who have never
known their parents or any relatives, then we
see families who squabble and fight all the time.'
Little do any of tose people realize the treasure
we have, the treasure of our relatives and the
memoribilia handed down by family.

Congratulations on a wonderful write. Your family
is a treasure to be protected and cherished.

Thank you,

----- Eagle Cruagh

[Wicahpi]

Sad to loose precious keepsakes!
Love to see those old photos.
Hopefully the memories never fade :)

[Ashley.M.E]

this is a nice story/poem, xD well done. It's all so very true and the memories of the past can be an amazing thing.

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm a collector. I have kept many items from my Grandfather. He was a collector also. Those old books and items kept make me remember the good people lost in a life. My grandmother old sewing machine still works from the 1910's. I like your poem. We look back at our life and remember the good people and laughter. Keep us human. A very good story.
Coyote

[A.Lee]

I like the last stanza. A sense of closure after taking a trip down memory lane with all of its good things and the sad things. This is really nice.

[Anthony M Smith Jr]

Thanks for your words! I too think of those long gone and the memories keep them alive in my heart. Peace to you my friend!
TT-TTO-NI-K
Elk