It came with
no set of instructions
no diction nor dialogue
A collection of old cameras, watches, photographs,
tea cups and toys
marking my family’s
movement on earth.
Yellowed newspaper dated 1920
cradled a flowery porcelain tea cup
that once held my great grandmother’s lips.
A black and white photo showed my nana
proudly dressed in her tennis whites
gazing longingly…
More pocket watches were unearthed
trapped in timelessness decades ago!
Rattling at the bottom of our Family Time Capsule
were
three small tin matchbox cars .
My father’s eyes flicked with amazement
and childhood amusement.
Now, it is my turn
to stop time-leave my mark
be immortalized
leave my buried treasure.
A great title and the poem is so poignant and leaves a strong impact. It reminds us how important it is to leave our mark and make a difference while we can. Awesome!
Thanks Siobhan! I don’t know if this is my strongest poem in terms of technique but it brought back some lovely memories while writing. Thanks for enjoying this and commenting.
Unearthing is a great word. I found the hour too short to produce this time-capsule poem, so really really admire what you’ve done here. It reads like snapshots one after another. Great poem!
Thank you Katrina!!! I find that during these half and full marathons, the muse or our inspiration just takes over…At some point, I get so tired and lost in the writing that images just flow into words and visa versa. Thanks for commenting and enjoying this poem. I too find that the hour is quick and this year, I was trying to write them even more quickly 15-20 minutes to save my eyesight and not strain the eyes.
I appreciate the philosophical gorgeousness of the poem’s promise and presumptive assurance of immortalization.
I also like how the images flash
the last line reads like a question is being asked while making the statement. Not sure if its a technique but it does leave me wonderfully puzzled.
Love it!
Thank you Ivan! And thank you for noticing all the different layers. Initially, I thought I was writing a whimsical poem but as it took shape, I like where it was going and added to the unearthing potential and immortalizing qualities theme. We are currently living in a time of great unearthing (from feelings, to abilities to pre-historic bones)…the poem sort of took this on and I have been influenced by and reading about a lot of recent discoveries…
Yes!! I love picturing the family heirlooms and treasures and how they impacted those seeing them again – the memories etched into each one. What a great way to end the poem – harkening to the next generation!
Thanks Cristy!
I really connected the this. Thanks you
Thanks for reading this Cindy!
Well said!1 It is your time to leave a mark… May it prevail…
Thank you Rajani!