Something to hold on to

By Rhiannonw

Fri, 08 Mar 2019
  • 1952 reads
10 comments
 

(about 1978)
She liked to take a toy with her
whenever we went out somewhere,
a token somehow of return
– but didn’t always grip with care,
so custom came to take each time
a ‘half-bus’ or a damaged car, –
no matter if such were lost –
but worthless things so seldom are
– these robust damaged toys seemed sure
to come back home and long endure!

 

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Lucky it didn't have to be something precious!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Possibly she lost something precious once, and saw the wisdom of taking something less special, but ineresting! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Such precious moments Rhiannon and what a beautiful smile she has. 

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jenny. Some old photos are quite poor quality, but catch memories, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant.

I had had thoughts to do something on a really old one of my mother-in-law – a studio photo taken in 1922ish when she was 2 and a half, and now near the 100 mark. But her life has had difficulties, and maybe these last year or so she has found more ease, peace, comfort, trust, but I wasn't able to get my head around how and what to write at present! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Agree with Jenny, your daughter has a beautiful strong face and lovely smile!

There is something in the idea of the broken toy always coming home, surviving, serving its purpose as giving comfort even when its original purpose is lost along with a wheel or two

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Di. Yes, there were one or two vehicles that had lost their fragile part, and the strong base survived! When older she sometimes looked at photos and remembered some of the tempers just before or after the photo, but this one was just a happy beam I think! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

I always like work that takes me on a mental journey and this lovely poem did.  I never worry if the reader goes to another destination so long as my writing provokes something. With the 'broken toy' I was transported (literally) to a vision of a toy aeroplane and the tragic story from the book 'Philomena'.

 

I bought a hand made Rupert Bear for my son in 1985 ...he was two at the time and the toy has had many repairs over the years. It cost 75p at a car boot sale and is lovingly conveyed on all trips even though Christopher is 35 now.

Possessions can be powerful symbols can they not !

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Graham. Old toys can be anchors to memories can't they?! And something simple or second hand too.

My youngest son had a big liking for a little monkey - I think his brother had bought it for 50p in a little local shop.It fitted well to his handgrip I think. Unfortunately, he took it on a walk, and that one was found to be missing at the end, and  we did have to insist that there was no way we could re-do that walk! It didn't hurt at the time to accept the transience of a favourite toy! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

She's beautiful &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Yes! A lot older now, and hopefully character developed more beauty also! Rhiannon