"Family Heirloom"

This is what happened not long after mom passed away..

       "Family Heirloom"

 

It was a small old family heirloom,

Of value perhaps...only to me.

I found it in one of the rooms,

So small, it was hard to see.

 

Others had came and went;

And took what they could find.

All of any real value was sent

To others...with riches in mind.

 

I was the last to walk through,

The house...that once was home.

I had not come for treasures from you;

This was our family home that I did roam.

 

I looked at the walls of forgotten things,

Old clothing and old pictures as well.

Things that would no money bring;

Even in the big family yard sale.

 

Looking at your hanging clothes;

Old slippers and other finds.

With tears in my eyes... I arose,

To the mess...others had left behind.

 

Then looking through an old dresser drawer,

In an old yellow envelope lying there;

I found more than I was looking for,

Golden locks...of my own baby hair.

 

It was wrapped...so carefully,

And written was just one line;

This is my darling daughter's hair;

Isn't it...precious and fine.

 

   This is a true story of when I lost my mom.

     Valentine

Reviews

[DoormanDan]

The ending wrenched my heart a bit. I can see that you poured a lot of emotion into this poem, and you have demonstrated that those emotions are powerful. I honestly don't know how I would feel if I had an experience like this. This is a beautiful and emotionally hard hitting poem, Valentine. :)

[Valentine]

I still have it too. Kathie

[Ruth]

Really touching Valentine, it is saddening in these situations people seek only what is worth money...what you found is far more valuable than gold :)

[Valentine]

You bet. Kathie

[Coyote Poetry]

I understand this poem. My Grandmother house had the same feeling. Old memories. I wanted to leave as-is. Thank you dear friend for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Valentine]

I am back in Michigan living next door to that old farm house. My younger sister lives there. All is so different. Kathie

[Coyote Poetry]

Hot days of Michigan. Welcome back dear friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

your writing has touched my heart Valentine ...death and an estate of any kind can and does bring out the worst in a family ..how precious your find ... i feel i was with you the whole time i was reading .. a friend of mine's sister and brother in law actually backed a rented truck up to the front door of their mother's home and stated loading everything up before the burial, reading of the will or anything else .. a neighbor called my friend to tell him what was going on and he had to leave work to stop them ..how sad eh!?
the keepsake your mom saved reminds me of my sister and her flaming red curls ... two of which my mom kept for her .. God bless you today my friend ... your mom was very special ..it is obvious in your writing
E.

[Valentine]

My mom wrote for the papers...she was the original Valentine. Kathie

[Einstein Noodle]

no kidding!!! and you have kept it going ... i think thats wonderful! ... God bless Kathie! :)

[wordman]

sad,yet a happy time,finding memories from times past
it can give you many feelings

[Valentine]

Hi.. Long time no see. Kathie

[Willard Wells]

A beautiful story of mother and daughter. i am so glad I found this work of yours. Very nice and touching.

[HeartInTheDark]

This poem shows exactly what its like when a family member with belongings that are worth lots of money passes, its really sad how they care about money more than the person who is gone and what makes it worse is that it does happen. its a really good poem from the heart, those are the best poems people come up with. keep up the great writing Valentine.

HeartInTheDark

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

An emotional piece that grabs the soul, heartfelt and without malice, well done, great read.