like they did

the 11th anniversary of my mother's death is this week. memories are swirling.

artwork by hurmerinta                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

my heart is coated with sweet memories

of windmills and wooden shoes

and those songs you loved to sing

but i've forgotten some of the lyrics now

and there's no one left to fill in the blanks

how i wish i could have stolen tomorrows for you

pain free ones

lately i spend a lot of time

trying  to turn up the volume on my memories

hoping to hear your voice one more time

i wish i could brush your hair again

play with the waves and then spray it just right

if only the breeze could lift my sadness tonight

as it does the dancing palm fronds

but one of my puzzle pieces is missing mommy

and try as i might

the rest of my pieces refuse to fit together

like they did when you were here

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I use to call my father every Friday at 8 pm. He left my world in 1996. Even today I want to hear his voice and talk with him. I enjoyed the poem shared dear Lydia. The people we love. A part of us. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Lydia Shutter]

You totally understand, John. My dad passed in '94 and my mom was with me till 2010. I miss both of them terribly. Some days more than others. Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Lydia.

[Patricia]

OMG this made me cry, this is absolutely beautiful. My mother passed one year ago in October and this hits me hard. I lost a son as well a few years ago and details have been lost without them. I wish, I wish...all of the time. I love this and thank you for sharing it.

[Lydia Shutter]

Patricia, I am so sorry for your unimaginable losses. All our wishes will not bring them back, but our memories keep us going. Thank you for this heartfelt review. Sending you hugs. Lydi**

[Patricia]

Thank you Lydia and I’m ok. This was just so touching, I read it to my husband in which I bawled halfway through and he got misty eyed understanding how much it touched me. Truly I say, if you touch a single person with your words so profoundly you are a successful poet…you are! Happy holidays dear friend.

[Lydia Shutter]

You just made my night, Patricia! Thank you so much. Happy Holidays to you as well. Lydi**

[K writes]

but one of my puzzle pieces is missing mommy
and try as i might
the rest of my pieces refuse to fit together
like they did when you were here

Aw such a sweet part, i miss my family, wish i could talk to them again

[Lydia Shutter]

I am sorry you can relate to my words....it hurts when family is gone. Thank you for the review. Lydi**

[Miss Sharon]

(but one of my puzzle pieces is missing mommy and try as i might the rest of my pieces refuse to fit together like they did when you were here) How I can relate to these words my dear friend. It is always a joy to read your words, be they happy or sad. ~Sharon

[Lydia Shutter]

Sharon, you are so kind. Thank you. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

:) we live with such losses till death do us part eh!? we loved deeply and deeply loose ..it pierces even at 11 yrs, Lydi ... i can say I am sorry for your loss and it is as relevant as if it were that same day. i am feeling you in this one my friend ... we miss them all don't we?! :(
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, we do, E....especially if the relationship was a good one. We are the lucky ones! Thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

;) ............................

[Lorry]

No matter the age, we are all little boys and girls when a parent is no longer there, to comfort us with a smile or holding your hand, or reminding us of times we shared with those who shaped us into what we ourselves became.
Even now, two weeks away from my dad passing away, I still remember thinking him a giant, as we held on to his arms as he lifted us and twirled us round like we were made of paper and hearing him and his silent laugh that is now mine, as some comic on TV hit his funny bone. And then of course you get to see them age and weaken until frail and it feels like there is a hundred, thousand or even a million of them, with each memory a new thing noticed until we get lost in the sadness as the calender creeps nearer to the day we finally grew up and knew they would never walk into a room and smile at us again.
Such beautiful words Lydi, that gives us, the reader, the tiniest glimpse of who made you you.
Even the lost lyrics resonate with me, of all the songs sung that I can barely recall, just background music to my childhood that I dearly wish I paid more attention to.
I do hope that knowing there will tears, that you focus on all the smiles and laughs you shared together too.

[Lorry]

Ps... Forgot to say, two weeks away from 20th anniversary of his passing.

[Lydia Shutter]

"they would never walk into a room and smile at us again." Lorry, your words come straight from the heart and I certainly can relate to them. No matter if the time is one year or 20, we remember them through every chapter of life. Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments here, Lorry. Lydi**

[redzone]

how do we measure loss??? the sadness of missing them??? while the seconds, days, weeks and years may pass, and some of the memories fade, we are reminded of them always cause we are the best of them.... it will be 5 years in December since my mom passed and I never got to say goodbye..... for me it is the pain of missing her tht keeps alive some of the most precious of memories..... her love of the arts, of African Violets, or ealy morning walks and going to museums and concerts, of her taking me to see The Man from La Mancha when I was 12 or to hear Sergovia at 17.... when I think of these things it makes me sad that no more of these type things can happen, but it also makes me smile that she wanted me to share in her love of life and the things that made her happy...

your poem is sad Lydi, but in it I also see the things that you and your mom sharedand it allowed me to feel I knew her and see her in you and your words.... your poem is moving Lydi and more than "nice"....

[Lydia Shutter]

And now, my wonderful friend, I feel I know your mother from all the great memories you have shared. Yes, we are the best of them because they gave us the best of themselves. Thanks so much for this review. It means a lot to me. Very nice. Lydi**

[Cassie]

ohh sweet lydia, hugs to you darling, hugs hugs. I felt this to my very core

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Cassie. You are a sweetie. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the pieces just never fit the same once they are gone.
I want to get on the phone so often and just call my mom. The last several years, I would call

both of them to make sure they were okay....and just to say hi.
I miss that...
Your mom would love the beautiful sentiment in this poem....she must have been so proud of you, Lydi.
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

So sweet of you to say that, Jacob. I think we never stop missing them. They live on through us. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

The puzzle piece will always be missing when a much loved parent passes. I really do feel that missing piece with my Dad who has been gone for thirty years now. Memories fade too, and like you I have to turn up the volume to remember the detail. Your beautiful poem Lydi** resonates. So relatable, you have captured deep emotions here. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

The fact you can relate pleases me, Chris. Thank you for this lovely review. Take care. Lydi**