Passed through the screen door,
Recalled the carpeted staircase,
Felt the pull of Maxine,
Grandmother, to me.
Twenty-three years, two months
Since we stood closely,
Right here
Packing odds and ends
To her,
Treasures, to me.
Cabinet I’ll never forget
Cookie dough testing,
“Needs flour, touch it, you’ll see,
Grab the butterscotch chips,
These will be Grandpa’s offerings.”
Sounds made when the drawers
Opened and closed, vintage whisperings,
Now upon my ears,
Fingertips sliding across moments,
Years.
Window gifting the same view,
advice,
Coverings, crisp and clean
Perfect place, for
Snapping green beans,
Twice.
Time to move the sprinklers,
Grab a bucket, strawberries to tend,
Summers without her
Still painful, something I dread.
Oldest Daughter & Red Headed Sister 
This is one of your finest, Aud. A beautiful and touching ode to a time well spent, long ago, but close to the soul.
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This one hurt my heart to write, Mark. She was an amazing lady. She taught me how to be a good woman and how to go for my dreams. She lives in me. Glad you got to meet her. ♡ Thanks so much for saying hello. I’ll visit you. Promise.
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Take your time, Red. I’ll be a’ bloggin’.
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Okay, Chum. See you soon! xx
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Cherish yesterdays, live like today is the last one and pray tomorrow comes.
Very nice, Audrey
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A great way to look at the life we have been given, Jay. Thank you, my dear
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Great, great title. Hope you’re doing well! Enjoying your summer!
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Hey there, I was just working on a page for my collaborations and needed the link for the Valentine’s Day poem. I was over on your site earlier tonight. Hope all is well, Ben. You’ve been quiet. Oh, and thanks. Glad you liked the title.
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Thanks, not too bad. I see some site changes there. Have a great night!
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A few site changes. Thanks for noticing, Benjamin. Enjoy your evening, as well.
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Your words so descriptive of such tender emotions… i felt them surge from my heart to my face and then to my eyes… red face, watery eyes and aching heart is not my best look… this is just beautiful Audrey… sadness in the missing… but joy in the memories…
Amazing story… Thank you so much for letting us share part of the journey…
*Hugs*
Michael
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Not my best look either, Michael. I must say that I rarely write about her, because when I do I become overwhelmed with missing her. Thank you for the kindred tears, my dear. You’re welcome, of course. Thank you for reading my poetry. *hugging you back* xx You are a blessing to this poetess.
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These are wonderful memories, and they obviously live deeply in your heart. Snapping some green beans and picking strawberries sound like good ways to keep her memory alive, too.
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These memories are only a few of what I loved about being with my grandmother two weeks every summer. She was a remarkable woman. I still see her so vividly in my mind. I loved her very much. Yes, a garden, with a few of rows of each would serve her well. Thank you, Gus.
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Beautiful!
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I appreciate you, Willow. A sad one, but so so beautiful for me, as well.
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It’s a sad, remembering poem–and I loved it! You really know how to draw on the emotion, don’t you know.
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You do?! Thank you, Duke. Hand me a tissue, please. *holds hand out* I was hoping to make someone else cry. This one is selfishly all about how much I miss my Grandmother. Lot’s of sadness there, you know. Did I draw any emotion from you, my dear? That is my question. *winks*
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You absolutely did. You know, I could almost hear the music playing in the background. I know it’s crazy! But I did. Some piano or something. It was really nice.
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Aw. I love the idea of a piano playing in the background. You know?! My grandmother loved listening to this blue eight track that was full of magic organ songs. You probably have no idea what those are, or the music I’m talking about, but it was rather upbeat and fast…something one could tap their toe to. Giggling so much. I haven’t thought about that music for years. I barely have memory of it. She was also a huge fan of Kenny Rogers.
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I’ve definitely heard of eight tracks, for sure. Organ songs sound extremely neatio. Everyone seems to love some sort of music in some way, you know. I think it’s glorious.
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I think music is glorious, as well. The magic organ? Not so much. Makes me giggle a little, however
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Always good to giggle!
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Touching. Very nice.
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Smiles. Thanks…
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Beautiful Audrey. You have such sweet relationships with your family. It’s lovely. That’s my hope for my children. I want them to have special memories of their childhood and youth. And I love that part, ‘vintage whisperings’ Very nice indeed.
🙂
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I cling to the love I’ve been given in this world, Staci. We all should. I know you do, too. Life is an amazing journey. Your children are blessed to have parents like you and your husband. Truly. They are already winners. xxxx Thank you..
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😀 Awwwwwww, thanks Audrey.
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You’re welcome xxx
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You have invoked so many memories of very dear and departed people from my life. Thanks!
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Good afternoon, Dan. I’m glad. Truly. Cried my eyes out after I wrote this. Those dear and departed people leave real marks on our lives. Hugs.
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This one brings back so many memories of my own dearly departed grandmothers, Audrey. Amazing that a brief scent or a sight can bring them back, almost as if they never left — ’tis the beauty of memory, I suppose.
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I was back in my grandmother’s house this summer. Being inside, with my 89 year old grandfather still living there, makes me miss her so terribly. I can only imagine his memories. Only house they lived in together. Raised three kids and many grandchildren. Thanks for reading, Debbie. Hugs. Memories are tough when thinking of those we loved so deeply.
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I so love this. It reminds me of Grandma Edna out on the farm. She is still alive in a retirement center in GI and I talk to her every so often. She’s 94 now.
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Thank you, Monsieur. ♡ I’m thankful my poem brought her to mind. Similar memories, my dear. My grandmother in Hayward is approaching her 90s soon enough. This photo is of inside my 89 year old grandfather’s house in Kansas. He continues to live there and after visiting him this summer, still doing many of the daily chores she enjoyed. I loved being there, feeling her and the close relationship we shared. Women like her, like your grandmother, are to be cherished. I appreciate you sitting here with me for this one. Feels good.
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