What Remains

Cherry
Poem of the week

By Silver Spun Sand

Tue, 28 Jan 2014
  • 9597 reads
21 comments
 
The clock we gave her on her eighteenth birthday,
ticks, stoically, on; a largo beat, more than suits the mood
of this room – perfumed, still, by patchouli, musk, 
sandalwood and vanilla; 
 
nothing upsetting the status quo, it would suggest,
except – trash her many incense trays 
cinereous in their waste – 
ashes to ashes, 
dust to dust.
 
Her piano mocks me, yet, with its silence;
unplayed, untouched; the lid –  up
as it always was. 
 
Her latest piece – The Goldberg Variations
still open at the final page.  I can hear her playing, now,
in my head.  How she perennially stumbled
on the C minor chord in the very last bar... 
 
Practice, sorely neglected since she’d been elsewhere, 
busy dying, as she wrote in her diary – no time 
for other things. 
 
Blitz her wardrobe – bag up her clothes – her books, 
photos and pictures stacked in cardboard boxes
to look through, later; couldn’t help but notice,
some she’d never shown me.
 
Putting two and two together, surmise
this would have been her husband’s muse – the one
intended to replace her as soon as she’d
slipped this mortal coil...
 
stood in for her when she became too sick 
to satisfy his needs – sexual, or otherwise; 
so much like her – could have been her twin.
 
Clear the kitchen cupboards – spices squirreled 
on her trip of a lifetime to India, Thailand,
and Vietnam. Take some home with me
and chuck the rest; nothing else for it – 
half used, and past their best.
 
So tell me why, for pity's sake, as I bin them
it’s the same as throwing a living, breathing 
part of her away?
Certificate 15
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Love
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by blackjack-davey on

brilliant... the suspended animation of the open music score and the details of the cindered incense. very, very sad
 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank, blackjack...for reading, and for your words.

Tina

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Hi Tina. I so "get" these words. Wonderfully imparted.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, PT...tons.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I couldn't help but relate to this poem Tina,  especially that last stanza.  It's so hard to let go of those items that belonged to a loved one,  whether useful or not.  Those feelings came across so well in this poem and really spoke to me of my own feelings.

Thank you for sharing.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

You're welcome, Jenny, and I'm really pleased you got so much out of this.  

Tina

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

The torture of 'things'. Gosh. Objectification is such a personal experience. Some delicate musical notes here, whisked in with breath-taking pain. The Common Prayer quotes tie it all up, Tina. It's a very final piece in terms of letting go, that acknowledgement of being left with possessions and clinging tight as you can to what they represent. A most beautiful photograph, too.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Your words, as always, special, and I thank you for them, Vera.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Such understandable feelings, Tina. Loved your poem, and the lovely photo.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank you, bee...on both counts.

Tina

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Forgot to mention, bee, that the photo was taken in the grounds of Lincoln Cathedral.  We went to hear Evensong.  It brings back many memories for me.

Tina

 

Submitted by celticman on

 a melody that hurts the heart. Well done.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, celtic. Appreciated...no end.

Tina

 

Submitted by camilla on

I will have to deal with my recently "late" Mothers belongings in a while. I keep picking up her handbag and putting it down again and taking a KIt Kat from her fridge but not the rest.

I soo get this poem but as always you express it all so very beautifully.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

camilla - my heart goes out to you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I am gladdened you took some comfort in the fact that none of us is really alone in our grief in the loss of a loved one.  I wish you all the best.

Tina

 

Submitted by Canonette on

What a  beautiful poem, Tina.  Really got to me, especially the last stanza.

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Many thanks for letting me know that, Canonettesmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by hoalarg1 on

Beautifully written and really very moving. I totally understand the fact that everything once owned leaves a trace behind, often impossible to let go of, no matter how small or insignificant it may appear on the outside.

Congratulations on the reward! Adam

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Adam - your words were reward enough, and I thank you for them.

Tina

 

Submitted by scratch on

Very good Tina.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks,scratch. So pleased you thought so and took the trouble to tell mesmiley

Tina