only memories

artwork by anna razumovskaya

the rivers of our past flowed smoothly

we floated on a raft of optimism

avoiding flotsam and jetsam

exiling them into unnavigable tributaries

we scrupulously avoided

 

living in the here and now

blind to what was ahead

because it didn’t matter…did it?

venturing here

but never there

certain life would always be smooth sailing

 

problems were things other people experienced

till suddenly

like a chinese puzzle box we could not solve

there it was

staring at me as i looked over the edge of that raft

the reflection of a woman who knew the truth

 

in the morning when the mist rose from the river

you were gone

leaving me with only memories

 

Reviews

[Sanober]

"problems were things other people experienced
till suddenly"...
oh, how true this is. when problems become our reality it's an altogether different story. we want to believe things will always be smooth sailing, and then it seems everything has gone wrong. we are forever caught up in the ebb and flow of our lives. this poem explains it so perfectly. as usual this is full of your poetic brilliance!

[Lydia Shutter]

Your reviews truly make my day, my friend. Thank you. Lydi**

[DIVYA]

staring at me as i looked over the edge of that raft
the reflection of a woman who knew the truth

in the morning when the mist rose from the river
you were gone

Indeed, one never anticipates the bad. Because one wants to trust, to believe in the goodness of people one cares for.
Now they are gone but leaving one with such questions. Should the memories be treasured? Or be trashed? And how to trust fate again?

Thank you for such powerful, touching poetry.

[Lydia Shutter]

Divya, you are always kind with your reviews. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Lorry]

The journey we take sometimes feel like walking into a dead end, yet without these journeys, such beautiful words would never be written.
Wonderful words Lydi

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Neo. Lydi**

[Trace]

Go with the flow.
Like ships in the night.
Don't rock the boat.

So many sayings we associate with boats or water.
Sure didn't see that ending coming.

Very touching.

Trace

[Lydia Shutter]

Hi Trace....thanks for stopping by. Always pleased to get a review from you. Lydi**

[writ rajat]

You have great treasure of emotion use it fondly nice write

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you for your review, writ rajat. Lydi*

[writ rajat]

Welcome.....

[AprilRN1210]

This left me with a titanic, sweet sadness. When you are one with the water moving with the current, bouncing with the waves--you can feel it long after you leave it. memories can be just as magical as the moment. beautiful writing as always :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, April. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

that's exactly what happened to my sister ..he came home and out of nowhere she was looking over the edge of that raft ... what a rat he was and is (in my opinion) a river rat >;/ ..well said ma'am! from blind youth to slap in the face wise :{
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Sorry your sister had a bad experience, E....life hands us a lot of "stuff". We have to roll with it. Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Beccy]

You describe how it is perfectly here. Pitfalls and perils abound along the way, but optimism and hope; and of course love in all its many forms means we often never see things coming; but is perhaps better that way.

Really enjoyed this Lydia; and as for memories, they are so, so precious.

Beccy.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Beccy. Lydi**

[MsJewel]

So true how we can sail through life thinking nothing bad could ever happen - bad things happen to other people. This one just curls right up in my heart Lydi - especially the last three lines. Brilliant writing as always my friend. Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Julie. Hope you had a fabulous 4th. Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

There are those on here who write Romance and sometimes quite well too. Then there is you who write what I can only call in rather a pedestrian way Romance plus. or Romance squared. That is the gossamer of romance with the leaves and branches of an excellent story. Wonderfully articulated and crafted piece.

[Lydia Shutter]

Ken, I will walk a little taller today after reading this review! WOW! Thank you so very much. Lydi**