the irony

artwork by robert plunkett

a convoy of nostalgia 

drove down my block today

virtual carloads of it

clearing its throat of the gravel lodged there

pixelated faces smiled at me 

mistakes did a slow samba

intransitive verbs and collective nouns 

uncharacteristically held hands

as they skipped away from me

giggling all the while

i'm convinced

if nostalgia were a sentence

it would have to be declarative

stating information that may or may not be true

then again perhaps some facts have been changed 

to protect the innocent

or the guilty as the case may be

impossible to piece together the memories

there's always at least one piece missing

i find myself smiling at the irony

Reviews

[Sami Khalil]

It is ironic indeed how we feel something is missing or someone especially during our cherished Holidays. I do feel that too. This was beautiful and sad. Missing is part of life. Hard to cope but it is doable. May your Holiday be of cheer and fun. Be blessed.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Sami. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Same to you. Pleasure to see you. You are welcome.

[barleygirl]

Your poem took me on 2 different tangents, delightfully so! First, I love the opening -- so original & such a startling way to describe nostalgia -- the kind of bright originality we all wish we'd thought of! Second, I love your grammatical examination of how nostalgia appears -- it never occurred to me there might be someone pulling the strings & distorting the way nostalgia is presented in my mind's eye (happens all the time, why didn't I ever notice that?) Love this! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lydia Shutter]

My mind is always going in two different directions at once, Margie! :) thanks for the great review. I really appreciate it. Lydi**

[Miss Sharon]

(impossible to piece together the memories there's always at least one piece missing i find myself smiling at the irony) So very true my friend. I love reading your words! ~Sharon

[Lydia Shutter]

I appreciate your review, Sharon. Thanks so much. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

yes ... our memories, as well as each moment, are peppered with bias and selective hearing ;} ... i am terrible at irony but the sadness in this hits home ... when anchors of history pull loose the moorings we float away ... i am just really moved by this Lydia ... so many fall to one dementia or another .. love the convoy, virtual carloads, pixelated faces ... the honesty in
"then again perhaps some facts have been changed
to protect the innocent
or the guilty as the case may be" speaks to me ... but that missing piece is what really gets me .. that something missing that nags the soul ... hmmmmmmmm!
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, my friend. Those missing pieces that are almost still there, but avoid our grasp are the ones that nag at us. I am moved by your review and I thank you, E. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

'.. may be - impossible to piece together the memories - there's always at least one piece missing - i find myself smiling at the irony.. ' Don't we all, at times.

Seems, and forgive me, I missed this sad but wonderful writing, Lydi. Nostalgia is both gift and gravel: happiness recalled with open arms and heart; but grit-filled to the brim with pain coming from all directions. What dawned on us this past Christmas was from two and a half tables and twenty four chairs, we are now down to fourteen, briefly fifteen. But - big BUT, we still have to celebrate the coming together for its various reasons, sip a something remembering those feasting and samba-ing elsewhere then, find smiles lurking declarative in different ways person to person.

Ironic yes, we unite to remember those gone.. but.. Your writing really leaves its mark, as should fine words, thank you, dear lady.

[Lydia Shutter]

We do raise our glasses to remember the ones who used to sit at the table, but we can't quite remember it all, can we? Thank you so much for this wonderful review, Emma. Sending hugs your way. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

Hard as granite to remember it all, Lydi, but think there comes a time when details need be scribbled down, added to, etc. as often as poeeible. A family work on the go, with emotions thrown in but forgiven whatever they are. Hugs galore for you, dear friend. Keep smiling best and when you can. xx

[DIVYA]

"if nostalgia were a sentence
it would have to be declarative
stating information that may or may not be true"

~ This is such a beautiful and brilliant poem on nostalgia, dear Lydi...nostalgia, by way of its selective quality does erase or change certain, not so nice things to make the past seem more beautiful than it really was...Perhaps it is designed to make us feel better about our life thus far...and perhaps the missing pieces speak for themselves, by way of their absence...
Appreciated so much...

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so right, Divya. I think we remember the sweet and forget the bitter. Thank you for your lovely review. Lydi**

[Chris]

The moments that crowd so close on Christmas eve... words and life both. And each lives within the aftersmath... Yours contained life and irony ...and both tears and smiles I'm sure. I wish you and yours the best of wishes for this new year. Take care.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Chris. Happy healthy new year to you and those you care about. Be well. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

Lydi... Gifts and toys for the Holidays really
should be for children... and as they grow,
they will learn the nostalgia that lingers year
after year. Colors and candles that light our
festivities will soothe our memories and loss
will be in our hearts and soul. It is ironic that
"Merry" is not always the best word for the season.
Your poetry is set in a neighborhood of light and warmth
for bygone years and perhaps a few tears. truly, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much for the review, Pat. I wish you and Roger a very Happy New Year filled with good health. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

The missing pieces. Always felt with more intensity at Christmas which is a time for friends and family. I had a nostalgia trip yesterday. Photographs posted on Facebook by the three children of my good friend Nicky who died 13 years ago aged 46, leaving three little ones behind. They were remembering their Mum at Christmas time. So delightful they were, remembering all our times together (we lived opposite) and what a hole that made when she passed away, and the family moved out of the area. My grandchildren living with me were really good friends with her kids as well. Bitter/sweet memories. Had me smiling through tears. You always write beautifully Lydi** and with great feeling.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story, Chris. Yes, we do miss them more this time of year. May Nicky's memory be a blessing to you always. Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[R.E. Ray]

Lydia, I felt every word of this poem. I’ve been going through old family pics, and this poem made me consider if the photos make the memories sweeter or more bitter. It obviously depends on what the photo captured. What we hold flat in our hands (or head) is often an incomplete picture of reality. I miss many in the photos and perhaps the nostalgia, but I don’t think I’d want to re-live the pain of those losses. Thanks for sharing this one. You’re poetry is always such a pleasure to read.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Ray. Your reviews are just wonderful. Yes, I think we miss those we lost more this time of year. The pain of losing them, though, never really vanishes.
Wishing you a Happy Healthy New Year! Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

Beauitful and indeed ironic.
You know I've always said that nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
Now this is not only ironic but it is very subtle as well. Something I shall take away with me and consider somewhat more.

[Lydia Shutter]

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be....indeed. Thanks so much for the review, Ken. Lydi**