we all fall down

i wrote this over six years ago....three months before my mom passed. this week she would have been 100 years old. thinking of her more than usual.

photo courtesy of shutterstock.com

our half thoughts seep over the edge

of good intentions

dampening positive notions

these days precious few still linger

we play ring around the rosey

with the unthinkable

who will answer our questions adequately?

and when they are answered

will we instantly curse the moment we asked them?

pockets full of posies

might be reason to smile

but when the last waltz begins to play

we’ve no grace whatsoever

ah, the pitfalls of missteps! 

there are no ashes here

still

     spinning spinning

we all fall down

 

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is a hauntingly beautiful poem...no ashes here, not in our minds anyway...just the spinning, the falling down without her...the questions we can no longer ask---

i really miss my mom...i really feel this poem immensely...

her last waltz was silent as she watched what went on around her...fading into twilight.

j.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you for sharing your emotions in this review, Jacob. Yes, they are missed. Lydi**

[Valentine]

Ring around the rosey. I have a write with those same old memories. No matter how we lose a loved one, we never forget or fail to remember the good times. Valentine

[Lydia Shutter]

Very true, Kathie. Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Karmee]

ho will answer our questions adequately?
and when they are answered
will we instantly curse the moment we asked them?
pockets full of posies

AWESOME!!!
You are a very talented writer

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you for making my morning brighter! Lydi**

[Writer at last! Sky ~]

Offcourse missing mom is the most saddest feeling and a loss that is hard to recover from. I know you're still getting the bliss and showers of blessings from your mom. Nice Poem Lydia :)

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so kind, Sky. Thank you. Lydi**

[Writer at last! Sky ~]

Stay strong Lydi** your friend Sky needs you always!

[Miss Sharon]

Beautifully written Lydi. The emotions are felt by your reader and they illicit memories of happier times...before death stole part of our heart. I like this one very much. ~Sharon

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, Sharon, you felt this poem...and I am honored you did. Thank you so much for the review. Lydi**

[barleygirl]

I love the way you've taken this simple recognizable nursery rhyme to a deeper & more mature place with your well-crafted words. I'm sorry you must be missing your mom. I didn't feel the "mom" type connection so much as I read, tho. This could apply to any number of life's regrets. To me, the main idea coming across is regret. Very haunting . . .

[Lydia Shutter]

we play ring around the rosey
with the unthinkable

we both knew she was dying and never wanted to talk about it.....but the fact you think it applies to life's regrets is a good thing....at least you got something out of it. Thank you, Margie. Lydi**

[Robert Haigh]

A poignant write. My mother died many years ago now, aged just 48. I certainly still miss her. Hi Lydia - I remember you from Starlite Cafe, and here also, when I was a member previously. I post on various sites, but I have just returned here. Hope you are well.

[Lydia Shutter]

Hi Robert, thanks for remembering me. Nice to see you back here. Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

The thoughts I think when reading this are so clear and precious.

[Lydia Shutter]

Ken, I appreciate your review. Thank you. Lydi**

[Ruth]

We so often seek to not think on the falling down and even though those ashes are not there, we know of our own mortality, least such things come into my mind when I miss my Dad, wonderful emotion Lydi and so beautifully written, blessings to you hon :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Poppy, thank you so much for your compassionate review. Lydi**

[Ted Kniffen]

A brilliant rendering of a rite of passage. The destination is never in question, only the journey. Thank you for letting us read your poem.

[Lydia Shutter]

I so appreciate your warm review. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

the use of the nursery rhymes works well for me ..nice job ..it is a somber poem rich in reflections ...and its own brand of advice ..all the good intentions come to naught if not acted upon ..my mom died at the age of 90 ... her oldest sister just passed away just shy of 108 ... still had stayed in her own home the whole time ... we sure miss them one and all ..and if we don't then a sadder tale is to be told .. we need to make that call, stop over for coffee, do a bit of shopping together ... whatever! ..while we can .. cause we will dance that dance ... such a somber poem from you Lydia ... :(
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

I spent 12 hours a day with my mom the last 5 years of her life and before that, she was always a major part of my daily life. I was the caregiver for all the elders in my family and I will never regret a moment of it. I miss them all. Looks like you have a great bit of longevity in your family....wonderful! Thank you for the kind review. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

yes we do have some longevity on me ma's side :) being care giver for a family member can be so difficult and trying but i agree one hundred percent ..well worth it indeed ..my mom suffered Alzheimer's and lived with us for her last 15 yrs .. like you i will never regret a moment ..but it was not easy ;)

[Lydia Shutter]

I knew I liked you, E! :)

[Einstein Noodle]

awwwwww ..right back at ya :)))))