I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

2 August 2016

The Importance of Trifles












My public face, many remark,
smiles joyously.

Not false, no mask –
nor the whole story.

Showering yesterday, 
I felt my private face 
twist suddenly, sobbing

for the foolish reason
that I couldn't remember

if I bought that shower head
before or after you died.

A self-portrait quadrille written for dVerse.

20 comments:

  1. Oh this absolutely touched me -- I wondered about the title and then understood. The loss of "a loved one" -- that phrase is too pat - too matter-of-fact for the reality, isn't it? The memories pop in and the smallest is magnified against the largest void. ThIs is the essence of loss. So beautifully sad. May you smile today my friend, with gentle memories.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We all have our private face and I understand why certain memories would haunt us.

    Thanks for joining us Rosemary. And yes, you look wonderful with that hat.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My assertion all along is that inspiration (and emotion) are found everywhere we look. The shower head certainly touched something deeply and prompted more than a poem. There were memories disguising itself as this mundane appliance. Don't let them haunt you. They all serve a purpose, Rosemary!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You had me with the title...and ALL the way through. touching beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I want to hug you right now. Not just because the poem is an emotion magnet, but because I know the feeling. I kept a lot of my little brother's things... and sometimes, when I can't remember how he wore something, or if I got it for him... Well, my heart just breaks a little... and the pieces spill out of my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! It is the not quite remembering that is devastating.

      Delete
  6. so deeply touching...nothing is trifle in this world, time tells us that...all part of our unique journey...sigh...beautifully penned...

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are the cutest thing ever!!! I big-time love your hat. We would be such good hang-out buddies. ... This is all in response to the photo. Now, for the poem ...

    I think this is my favorite of your poems. This has every speck of the perfection I would like to see in published poetry. It's sharp and hard-hitting at the end. It tugs at my emotions, but not so much that I walk away feeling yucky or overwhelmed by sadness. This is a remarkable poem.

    If you publish, publish this. Even just the last seven lines. It gets straight to the point and twists my tummy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think I'd adore to hang out with you! And how very smart you are to pick that the last seven lines are the real poem. (Maybe I'd have to change or omit 'private' ... or maybe not. {Pondering....)

      I have been thinking it must be time I created some more chapbooks, but hanging off because there are some big collaborations in the pipeline.

      Thanks.

      Delete
  8. Oh this is moving, Rosemary. I know how suddenly those tears come over us.........I LOVE your rainbow photo!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The ending gob-smacked me, Rosemary. Indeed, we can be basically joyous but we are also all those losses that come to us throughout life--especially the loss of a soul-mate/spouse.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really love this so much in a few words...you are open and honest with yourself and your feelings...thank you...bkm

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think many of us can relate to this. Very touching.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You are frightened. You are beginning to forget the intensity of him.
    It is part of the recovery/survival process.

    sad
    too sad
    too too sad
    but
    a brilliant write.

    Capturing that raw emotion is only possible in short verse.You did it. Few can. Chapeau !
    You'll get through because you want to.

    ReplyDelete
  13. the last seven lines...oh my. The poem in those lines. Touching but also so very brave.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so good. I was very moved by the unexpected ending. Definitely one of my favourite responses to the prompt.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very powerful poem, Rosemary. You took a detail of life & used it to create a very 'telling' self portrait.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated and will be visible after being approved by the blog owner. If you can only comment anonymously, please include your name in the comment, just so I know who's talking to me.