there again

thinking of thanksgivings of the past....heavy sigh...

blue edges of the day before

my favorite holiday
so natural
invade shadows of a florida winter
childhood dreams crystallize
in the still warmth of a cup of tea


i turn back the corner of a memory
remembering a tucked in kiss
then offer a sacrifice of dandelion fluff
to the passing clouds


squinting back through the time tunnel
i drink it all in
childish voices hum the melodies of life
and for just a moment
i’m there again

Author's Note

artwork courtesy of pinterest

Reviews

[therisa]

Lydia, your poem brought childhood memories, of the times, my paternal side of the family, gather for the holidays, at my oma and opa place. Try imagining 26 first cousins, most under the age of 15, running around the house, getting into trouble, being their noisy selves. An aunt or uncle, telling us, to go outside and play. The smell of food would assault your senses, as soon as, the outside door was opened up. Hinting at the awaiting meal, soon to grace, your plate and stomach. Thank you, for bringing back, this memory to me, Lydia.

[Lydia Shutter]

Therisa, you described my childhood with this review. I called my grandparents "oma and opa". We are from Holland, but I know that is what German people call grandparents as well. Where is your family from? Thank you for sharing your memories...which reflected mine. Lydi**

[therisa]

My oma and opa, with 9 of their 10 children, emigrated to Canada, from Amsterdam, in 1952. If they had waited another year, Canada would have paid for their passage to northern Alberta. I know they came from northern Nederlands, but not entirely sure, what province or town, it was. Sadly, these family gatherings end, in 1996, when my oma past away, from cancer, she 2as 89 years young. I was, one of the 6 pallbearers.

[Lydia Shutter]

Very sad.....my Oma passed when I was only 8 and my Opa when I was 12, but I will never forget them. I am now an Oma to my granddaughters. Do you speak Dutch? I spoke it before I spoke English.

[therisa]

Sadly, only three of the cousins, in North America, speak Dutch. It was never encouraged by our parents. It was the language of adults, when they wanted to talk about something, without us, kids, knowing about it.

[Lydia Shutter]

Smiling here......my cousins and I all spoke Dutch fluently by the age of 3. It is music to my ears even today when I hear Dutch being spoken. Don't get the chance to use it often, though.

[therisa]

Except for one aunt, in North America, they all married Canadian spouses, thus English was the dominant language, at home.

[Lyn Anderson]

It's nice when memories come up softly on us and transport us, if only, for a moment.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed! Thank you, KL. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Holidays are times to share, reflect and count our blessings. Your bittersweet memories are to be valued and cherished. In the heauty of your words and phrases, I hear and feel the echoes and sighs of a gentle, loving soul. Excellent...:)....

[Lydia Shutter]

What a lovely review, Sami. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome muchly...:).....

[MsJewel]

Blue edges of the day...
You had me with the first line. I can relate so well to this one Lydi. (sigh)...

I hope your holiday was lovely.

Happy Thanksgiving Lydi
Hugs, Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

And to you as well, Julie. thank you so much. Lydi**

[redzone]

We need those "moments" don't we Lydi they hold us together at times with smiles held, tears lost, but always make us feel human and even loved. You always make me feel warm with your memories Lydia, thanks for this "nice" poem
~~redzone

[Lydia Shutter]

And thank you, Curt. I always appreciate your reviews. Hope all is well with you and the family. Lydi**

[Baby Ricochet]

This is a really lovely poem Lydia. Bittersweet like

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

' .. then offer a sacrifice of dandelion fluff .. .. to the passing clouds .. ' beautiful lines

Your memories are so wonderful and obviously precious. - days to look back on and remember; emotions galore - even though perhaps they didn't seem so special at the time. It's the togetherness, the smiles, the laughter, the normality or tradition that sets a route, isn't it..

As often your words wrap smiles about this reader - thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

(amended, too many typos, :( forgive )

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Emmajoy! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too. Make memories. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A lovely light and warm piece of reflection on times past set in a descriptive poem with flavours described.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, John. Lydi***

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this poem brought me back to when i was a kid...this family from Brooklyn used to come and spend thanksgiving with us....was always a good time..

great dinner, and watching football...family...

as the years passed got harder to get together as we all ended up in different places.

but tomorrow will be good...i serve at the newman catholic center...every year since 1999---and it is so much fun....we serve anywhere from 600 to 900...

thank you for this poem....and the memories.

jacob

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you for sharing your memories, Jacob. How altruistic of you to serve at the Catholic Center....wonderful! Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

serving there is such a pleasure...i think i get more out of it than they do...

[willweb]

Those memories Lydi, some can be so bittersweet but also so much fun as well. I have very fond memories of Thanksgivings past, some I would never want to lose. This was beautiful and heart warming. Happy Thanksgiving Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

The same to you, Will. Thank you for your review. Lydi**

[KeeD]

Hello Miss Shutter, this beautiful poem had a hint of a melancholic feel to it and then as I sit here recently turned 25, sipping on a cup of hot coco on this cold night, it takes me back to the days of my childhood. It's so beautiful the representation of the transition of life and I can hear the laughter in the air once more thanks to you. Great poem.

[Lydia Shutter]

Keegan, thank you so much. May the laughter fill the air for a long time! Lydi**