Once Upon a Life...

Cherry
Poem of the week

By Silver Spun Sand

Mon, 24 Mar 2014
  • 9135 reads
22 comments
 
I got into bed – made love 
with the boy – happened to be there
He called me honey 
 
I had two daughters
one goldfish
and three rabbits
 
Cooked and cleaned 
and mowed the lawn 
and painted the fence, twice  
 
Mended the vacuum – 
burned the toast 
 
Learned to drive
and gave up giving up
on Yoga 
 
Took up sketching – my forte
off-kilter rainbows 
 
Became addicted to little pink pills
and then beat it  
 
Read Tuesdays with Morrie
and thought of him as God 
 
Buried one child –
baked bread
and took up macramé 
 
Planted an olive tree
talked to it...
learned its language
 
tried convincing  myself
I'd done with museums;
just seeing the sun coming up
was enough
 
In my head went for a ride
in a hot-air balloon but
it went off, ‘pop’
when I made the North Pole
 
Put my life in a drawer
or could have been a cupboard...
just somewhere safe
 
but today
I can’t find it
Certificate 12
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Philosophy
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Love your words - so personal, so layered and thought-provoking.

We have so many parallels in our lives...  you've reminded me of a poem I wrote a while ago - if I can find it, I'll post it.

Don't know if you've seen my blog - I update it quite regularly:  http://francesmacaulayforde.wordpress.com/ 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank you so much, Francessmiley It's nice to hear from you again.

I will certainly check out your website with its new look, and look forward to reading that poem.

Hope your day is a good one.

Tina

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

You sound a little jaded here, Tina? and yet manage to play around with all the little memories of which so much of life is composed, intermixed with tragedy, and fun imaginings. Why was Morrie Schwartz idolised, just finding his philosophical approach intriguing, or satisfying in some way?
Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hello there, Rhiannon.  An astute observationsmiley

As for Morrie Schwartz, and Tuesdays with Morrie, I was given this book at a rather fraught time in my life, and found Albom's book touching, and inspirational.  Although it became a best seller, and was subsequently made into a film, it maybe doesn't appeal to everyone, but for me, at least, it remains special.

Horses for courses, I guesswink

Many thanks for reading, Rhiannon, and for sharing your thoughts.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

I think this is brilliant, Tina. I love the seemingly glib tone as you summarise life listing the facts with a throwaway casualness that is half bitter, half sweet with a clever wit that softens what is in places, sad  but also factual. My favourite was the addition of the single word -'twice' after the line about painting the fence. An honest, no frills piece that if I had cherries to give, you get them from me for this.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank you, Bee...and guess who'll be painting that fence, again, this summerfrown  

Yep...you got it in onesad  Cuprinol's 'Shades of Lavender' have much  got much to answer for.

Tina

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

It is the 'matter of factness' that get you.

Those last two verses says it all.

Lovely.

Lindy

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Lindy - I'm so glad you liked this.  Thank you so much, and I hope you have a peaceful evening.

Tina

 

Submitted by celticman on

nice, spare and orginal.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, celticsmiley

 

Submitted by MJG on

It was the way the shocking line about burying a child was surrounded by all the madness you would have if you did that, the unreality of the world, thought it was quietly devasting...x

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank you, MJG.  Quietly devastating.  Yes, indeed.

Tina

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

The lines you've intended to seem flippantly placed, those contrasts in this list of life, give momentous impact. Used properly, minimalism imparts such wise. A throughly deserved pick of the week. Sorry I'm late commenting, in writing space at the moment. laugh

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Vera - no apologies necessary.  I am only pleased that you  took the trouble to read, and comment.... as ever, so very thoughtfully.  Thank yousmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on

Just blew me away Tina, an absolute triumph. :)

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hey - fb...fantabulous to hear from you, and I'm so pleased you thought sosmiley Hope I didn't blow you away too farfrown

Tina

 

Submitted by Dynamaso on

Hi Tina, been a long time but so pleased to read you again. This is brilliant and kind of intimidating. Love the twist in the end. Somewhere safe indeed.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Well hello theresmiley  Long time no speak.  Hope things are OK with you, and it's good to have you back

Many thanks for your words.  More than appreciated.

All the best

Tina

 

Submitted by Dynamaso on

Been busy but good - teaching myself how to play a new instrument, working hard, trying to finish my first novel and occasionally letting life lead me wher it may. Still getting the hang of this new site (it has been a while). Got a bunch of stuff I'm going to post but it was so good to read you again, especially this piece. 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

The best of luck with all your projects, and I'm so looking forward to reading more or your stuff.  As to getting used to the site after its major overhaul, it took me a time, too, but on the whole, it's bunches bettersmiley

Have a good evening.

Tina

 

Submitted by scratch on

Fabulous Tina!

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Gee, ta, scratchsmiley