Heartfelt Nostalgia

Cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 12 May 2020
  • 2416 reads
14 comments
 

Poem about going through old diaries and photo albums.

 

 

 

Basking in golden years,

looking back...

journey spreads

a wealth of history,

 

though memories

sometimes like

waves upon

an ocean, rise

and devour us,

melee of furore

accounts we'd

rather forget,

 

others appear

diaphanous,

gossamer web

of memoirs,

translucent...

so delicately

amicable like

familiar smiles.

 

Leafing pages

delving lineage,

roots steeped in

finest soil,

 

kindred bloodlines

once so close,

sadly gone but

never forgotten.

 

 

Pixabay free photo.

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Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm so happy you liked my poem editors and thank you so much for the cherries.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there Trevor,

when going through photos and seeing those family members smiling at the camera, some bring back memories of moments together in time. Then there are  those that died long before I was even born, I wonder about them and what kind of people they were.

All my family are either dead or have moved across the other side of the world, so all I have are my memories.

Then there are my diaries which thankfully I've held onto all my life, these I hold precious as they hold names of places that don't exist anymore, and people's names that suddenly conjure up moments in time.

It's nice to know you grasped my poem. Thank you for reading and your kind words, very much appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Snapshots of time, cut off from the before and after and the larger stories. But memories can often fill in some more and at least remember more of character and incidents if we were there, but still as you say diaphonous aware we only have/had a glimpse.of situations and people, or that only a little stays in the memory. And of course, as you say, some memories have regrets of our or other's actions, or of sad times, though someimes good comes from the memories, things maybe we learnt, uncomforably. I've never kept diaries, their perusal must be quite a different matter. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

my best diaries are from the early 1970s, one in particular from 1975 is filled in every day, I was amazed at how busy I was and the amount of energy and determination I had. I must get around to writing a day in the life of me.

You're right we do learn from the bad things that happen and hopefully come out the other side to tell the tale. Sometimes though I don't even regret the difficult situations because I'm stronger for it.

You definitely got what I was trying to convey and thank you so much for reading and your comment.

I hope everything is okay with you and your family. Take care.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Your diaries sound fascinating, the sort of thing they collect at the Britiah Library!

I like the two contrasting metaphors for different sorts of memories, the dark ones of bad times which threaten to suck you down like a whirlpool if you go near something that triggers them off, bringing bring back terrible emotions like loss or fear. And the light, soft rainbowy memories that you are happy to find floating through your mind every day that bring comfort

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

It was interesting to read how your diaries and photographs have helped you to recall past events and reawakened memories of people who have been part of your life. Being so well organised has proved useful to you as now you have all the relevant facts at your fingertips. I wish that I had been as methodical as you but sadly I have hundreds if not thousands of photos lying  uncoordinated in drawers. I also would have liked to keep notes of dates for future references especially the 60s which were particularly memorable for me. I enjoyed the poem.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hello Di,

I'm not sure the British Library would be interested in my ramblings, but I'm certainly interested in writing on abc tales.

Like you say life has it's ups and downs and it's fun to look back and reminisce on those days when life seemed difficult, but wasn't really at all.

I'm so glad you enjoyed reading and thank you so much for letting me know.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Luigi,

some days are just about getting up and going to work and feature my working day at the office, but I always seemed to be up for staying out late most nights, and still able to get up early next morning, don't know where I got the energy from.

Even having photos lying around in drawers must be fun to look back on. My dad was the person who started photo albums and began writing dates and where the photos were taken, I must have got it from him. He even started a family tree, which I'm so glad he did because it gave me an insight into my family history, although it only goes back as far as my grandparents parents. I can't say I've got the same enthusiasm for delving that far back though.

It's nice that you enjoyed reading this poem and I appreciate your comment.

Thank you.

Jenny. xx

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

When people use their own photos for Covers for their Stories- family photos holidays and so on or children growing up it says so much more. Often personal photos can be very beautiful. They might not be so pretty and pro always but tells a story and it is real. Your own geniune and personal photos are the best.

You should now have lots of material for your stories from the old albums etc. Sounds like it!

Keep well Jenny! Tom Brown

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you so much Tom, what a kind comment. I certainly do have a lot of photos, many of them I have already used in dear diary entries. I'm so glad you think they're worth reading, it makes writing even more enjoyable.

Thank you again and you keep well too.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

I like the reflection on the impact of good and bad memories in this Jenny, that some can devour us, it is nicely done. Rachel :)

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thanks Rachel,

Good and bad memories are always welcome, Life's experiences to record.

Appreciate the read and your kind comment.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

I like the way you convey the ambiguity of looking back.  It can be life affirming and reinforcing, but sometimes very painful as well.  Memories are hard things to grasp.  A lovely poem, Jenny - and as people have already said, you obviously have lots of material for more lovely writing!

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi there airyfairy,

glad you liked my poem. Many of my experiences that I've recorded have been written down in my dear diary moments. When I have time I will write more clearly. I only discovered some old diaries in a box when clearing out our attic at the beginning of this year. It was a very hard thing to do, because I got rid of so much of my history, but I just got to thinking that it's silly to hold onto stuff that just sits up there and never sees the light of day. Now we have a clear attic and we won't have to go up there again...thank goodness.

I am enjoying going through the diaries, photos and letters which never fail to put a smile on my face each time I look at them and recall those moments.

Thank you so much for stopping by to read and share your thoughts.

Jenny.