The Vase

                        The Vase

there on the shelf of my best pronouncements

polished purple and pink

a rose so to speak

warm bodies in the house 

can't contain the empty cold

quiet browns inside 

stained with rag doll morals and attar

dusting politely the

water marks

waterfall streaking

water falls like cotton

quietly 

 ...................................................................................

E.

10/13/2019

Author's Note

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

E., my great grandmother had a similar vase in her living room. I remember it was fine China with intricate colorful artwork, and someone had broken it years earlier. I recall the cracks, the faint dried glue ooze, and yet I never looked inside. I think it might've been her mother, Lettie, who died during the 1919 influeza epidemic. This memory is from the 1970s, so the images are blurry now. Still, your poem and the photo took me back to that place and time, much like what you've described here, "where water falls like cotton... quietly." This poem touches the heart and time, and that makes it extraordinary.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh God bless your Great Great Gramma! how precious to hold even faded memories like that R E! our heritage .. always has cracks and brokenness in it ... we wouldn't be human otherwise me thinks .. i am feeling pretty good this touched you so my friend ..thank you so much for taking time ..and for sharing this bit of your history ... wow 1919 influenza epidemic .. going to go a-googlin' on that .. peace brother!
E.

[Stella Armour]

Funny how an innate object like an old antique vase can evoke such warmth of feeling ..

[Einstein Noodle]

symbols are important .. for sure ... tearing them down is one of the things that usurpers do to take over whole countries ... but that's not what this is about ;) thanks for taking time Stella ... good to see you 'round the Cafe'!

[Stella Armour]

I like old things, i enjoy wondering about their past.... who handled them ... what stories could they tell ?
I collect pre-decimal English coins , some go back to the 1700's ; they fascinate me ... who's pocket were they in , what did they buy .... ?

[Einstein Noodle]

how fascinating! i also love antiques and browsing stores everywhere .. but have little knowledge and so picked something simple i could look for while looking at everything .. so i have a small collection of tin match holders and old trivets .. being on the hunt for something specific makes the visit more exciting i think .. i started too late collecting coins but tried for pre-'65 .. when they were all silver here in the States .. and wheat pennies .. and buffalo head nickles ... as a paper boy i remember making change for people using silver dollars .. kick me self for that right?!

[Stella Armour]

Wheat pennies, now there is something i never heard of lol.

[Einstein Noodle]

they were minted from 1909 to 1956 ;)

[Stella Armour]

I don't know anyone else interested in old coins , i do see them for sale , mostly victorian which i have quite a few but the older ones are very expensive if they are still of a good quality and the detail still crisp.

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ......................... i think they are fascinating .. the tales they hold eh!?

[Stella Armour]

I am a genealogist too, so doubly interesting lol

[Einstein Noodle]

by profession or hobby?

[Stella Armour]

Hobby, i never charge anyone for tracing their tree although many do and it can be very lucrative.

[Stella Armour]

I just enjoy watching their faces when they read what i have found for them .... mostly they are incredulous and start laughing

[Einstein Noodle]

one of my cousins traced me Da's family and an Aunt me Ma's ... its like reading treasure maps that allow one to find treasure just beyond the next bend ;)

[Stella Armour]

It is addictive , once you find a branch you then have to go on and try to find the twiglets lol

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ....................

[MomzillaNC]

Terrific turn of phrase: "rag doll morals and attar"

[Einstein Noodle]

i admit i kind of liked that one too ;} ... its a many scented thing isn't it?! .. thanks for reviewing Ma!! its a treat
E.

[MomzillaNC]

yvw 😎

[lightsong]

Ok, I don't know how the "Vase" turned into something great like this, and honestly it's not only the words, though You've worded some marvelous sentences for me like,
"water marks
waterfall streaking"
but more of the nostalgia and sadness You brought, the nostalgia to the warmth of home, of a family, of a mother's lap, You are aware of this warmth I'm speaking of, because You are the one who, before painting it, felt it. and I must say, I first read Your sentence "a rose so to speak" like this; "a rose to speak" so it immediately stuck and deeply moved my heart thinking of a rose which is speaking and expressing her feelings. You must use this somewhere :)

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhhhh i like that Light!! a rose to speak ... it adds more dimension and layers doesn't it?? ... i think you should use it ;) it would be a fine theme to build on ... i'm just tickled you were inspired in reading ... maybe "a rose that speaks" ... really glad to have your review ... thank you for reading Light ... with sensitivity and openness

[lightsong]

I think a new poem is coming out and I feel it's gonna be just amazing ;)

[Einstein Noodle]

i can't wait!!! :))))))))))))))))))))))) and thanks for the message too!

[lightsong]

BTW, I was speaking about a poem from YOU not me ;)

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh ... well...i did just post a new one that has been brewing for months ... finally morphed enough to post ... love ya Light! i am thiking on the speaking rose for sure ..your line is very inspiring

[lightsong]

on my way there :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

just like our hearts are like a vase...broken many times, cracked, but still standing and still having special value...even though we forget that sometimes.
keepsakes for the heart's sake.
nicely done, E.

j.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes!! keepsakes for the heart's sake .. nice one sir .. and always a treat to have your visits .. thanks for taking time :)
E.

[gram linski]

It's like a classical still life painting came to life, a tender beauty, E,

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks for taking time gram! always appreciated ... yes .. a sweet sorrow ;)
E.

[Dave Brown]

we have been very fortunate to have passed down to us, a number of treasured items, one of which, in relating to your poem is delicate, ornate, purple with gold trim, vase.
It came from my great grandparents home and I have always loved it.
Your beautiful poem re-reminded me.

[Einstein Noodle]

feeling pretty gratified you are inspired to think of such a treasure ... i also have many "things" passed to me ... from me Great Grand parents as well ... all treasures to be sure .. thanks for stopping by Dave ... see you 'round the Cafe' :)
E.

[Sami Khalil]

It is amazing sir how we humans reflect on things that hold meaning and symbolism, how we relate that to our past and present, how it deeply hurts us to lose that abstract symbolism. Even if there were million Vases like it in stores, that one particular one has the real value and meaning for a precious person owned it and it became cherished by them. An awesome poem sir Einstein Noodle.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes...spot on Sami ... thank you for your sensitive reading of this one ... absolutely deep feelings .. history and our symbols so important .. thanks so much for reviewing this one my friend .. very nice you related to it so :))))))
E.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir...

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's the period of time you've adeptly captured here, Gene. Oh, the memories you evoke, and what a delivery of a line... "water falls like cotton, quietly." Be still my heart!

[Einstein Noodle]

that little grey box with the X in it is at it again ... i hit the post button and a blank stare was posted instead of me words :{ ... anyway ... thanks for stopping to read ... always .. your support encourages me onward with joy and a skip in me step ... this has elements of a lot of my personal life experiences and kind of built itself .. i know that you know what i mean ... but the vase i had in mind ... and have displayed in my grandmothers china cabinet .. sparked the time period for sure ... it carries so much with it eh!? my grandparents ... saw the first car, the telephone, TV, etc etc. ... some living long enough to see computers, and cell phones ... they were something else! i sure like to see you 'round here my friend .. your presence always puts a smile on me face :))))))
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

What is up with that little gray box with the x in it? I thought it was only me!

[Einstein Noodle]

no...its a menace for many .. have no idea what exactly it is ...but sometimes whatever it is doing it stops one from what they are writing .. and if not noticed ..when you post it comes out either blank or partial .. i try to pay attention to it and if my post is being interrupted i click the X and it resets or something .. but allows me to finish .. good morning Legs ... me dahlink!

[Mrudula Rani]

The vase represents universal symbol for female deity in many religions. With water it represented harmony in ancient China. In Hinduism it symbolizes Shakti ( female deity) they usually keep it on the prayer alter. Even in Buddhist and Celtic traditions vase holds an important symbol. Devine portraiture of ultimate symbol of divinity. Water falls like cotton quietly ... you create a meditative sensation to the scenario, E. A spiritual experience indeed!

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you thank you thank you for drawing parallels in beliefs that i did not consider; but sure add a deeper more meaningful tint to this poem, Mrudula ... i really appreciate it and will be educating me self a bit more on the symbolism .. and i am gratified you point out the cotton ... it was meant to get across in just such a way ... there is a universal vase experience we all can relate to ... but i reading these reviews i am only now becoming more aware of it .. love on ya my friend .. :)
E.

[Mrudula Rani]

You paint most mesmerizing and momentous impressions effortlessly , Dear E. it always a pleasure learning from you.

[Einstein Noodle]

:)........................

[barleygirl]

I am very envious of the way you can swish a few word strokes onto the page & each little mark conjures up a bigger picture, until you've painted a fulsome offering of some singular memory that sits on the shelf in our imaginations, along with five or six other memories of our own that your poem sparked! *wink! wink!* I especially love how you focus on aspects of the design as if these etchings were the object itself (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Einstein Noodle]

Margie!!! i am so blessed when you are drawn into my abstractness .. it is a very real and huge treat for me ... love love love this review from you! :)
E.