The Red Strokes

he sees the shirt she made

(years since it’s fitted, but

  the colours, the feeling)

the green bottle sitting on

  the dresser, it’s stopper gone,

two handmade coat hangers ....

  green of course,

the wooden trinket box she made,

the green towel he uses still

 

Recalling how we met;

a chance meeting, but

  so far away, so unexpected,

a breakfast outing with family,

I in a wheelchair a little reserved,

but she undaunted.

A day together in Cairns, the ocean drive,

our talks, a freshness in soft breezes

  of ‘maybe love’ sparking,

lunch on a pier as I recall,

the help she gave, new territory for both.

The cinema, my arm around her

  in the darkness,

she resting on my shoulder,

both needing companionship,

needing each other in that moment,

a closeness, comfort ... an inner healing,

the flowers given after I left

(she told me she carried them

  room to room.)

 

Long, long-distance phone conversations,

her perfumed letters ... wordy, the frequency,

I still remember the design

  on the envelopes,

images conjuring feelings within.

 

he remembers the little hideaway

  in the forest just for two,

still has the welcoming card,

still remembers the love, the closeness;

his arms around her from behind,

as hers around him, favourite

  memories for both,

sleepy nights, just two in the silence,

lazy mornings, suns of happiness

the love, the softness of companionship,

a familiarity growing.

 

His thirtieth birthday, special times;

a banner she placed in the kitchen overnight,

the cinema, a closeness, comfort ... binding hearts,

drives in the country, the lookout,

the zoo, passing fields of purple flowers

(joking that I painted them for her.)

 

He remembers jumping a puddle, falling flat,

the tears and fallout, she helping him change,

a picnic on the lawn, a sunny day.

He remembers a late afternoon,

a rug covering both, a bench on the waterfront

 

a fluffy toy dog, 

a piece of purple wrapping paper

( her favourite colour)

a handmade vest, long gone now, but

  this he loved wearing ... the memories ...

 

a handwritten card of delivery;

he remembers a basket of fruits,

wine?  He can’t remember.

Listening to our music, reminiscing;

Kenny G, ‘Joy of Life’, special to him,

Garth Brookes, ‘The Red Strokes’,

their favourite and  invoking emotion still.

 

Her letters now gone, but the memories,

a few tracts of feeling remain,

she always signed, ‘yours by heart’,

snippets of memories scattered;

times, places, emotions,

their words, their conversations.

 

it’s twenty-four years now .... but

  still soft memories clinging!

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is one of the most tenderly detailed & heartfelt remembrances I've read here at the cafe EVER! I'm not big on "looking back" . . . but I seem to be clicking on a steady stream of "looking back" pieces today . . . and I'm struck by how different other people are, than me. I am completely missing the nostalgia gene, as far as taking it to the heart as you've done here. I like thinking about the old tunes or other memorabilia from "the day" . . . but I don't remember such details as your poem is loaded with, so it's a marvel to read this, as well as a delight. I am struck by how you might be more appreciative of each loving detail becuz maybe there haven't been many in your life, whereas I had many opportunities, which I squandered in many different rude ways. This isn't just a well-crafted love poem, it's a lesson to those of us who take so much about love & life for granted, such that we need to be reminded how it looks when someone appreciates & treasures every little thing about another person. Our world is horribly devoid of this these days & I find this to be one of the great underlying factors that make it seem like everything is all wacko-bad-hopeless. If people spend more time relating on the level of loving detail as you've shared here, & less time fomenting on the stuff our so-called leaders suggest, I bet the scenario wouldn't look so bleak. Sorry for going on & on. That's a sign of a great poem, when so much is sparked from a reader (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Richard M]

Dearest Margie, I'm so thrilled and happily chuffed to read your review of this piece. Thank you so much. The memories came flooding back on this one. Yes, memories of this kind mean a lot to me. Well perceived. I don’t consider it finished, and have to tidy up and finish the story at another time.
Thank you again for your

[Chris Shaw]

This poem is choc full with beautiful, loving memories of a romance which took place twenty four years ago. Wonderfully penned and each memory precious to the author. I am left wondering, what happened to her who signed her letters yours by heart. This is such a touching write Richard, a pleasure to read. Hope you are keeping well my friend.

Chris

[Richard M]

Hi Chris, Thrilled you like this piece. Was in two minds whether to put it in or not. It was a great time and period. Jacob also asked what happened to end the relationship and what happened to her. She and I are still friends and in contact. Poetically, I've left it up in the air. Maybe I should rewrite the ending.
Thank you for reading. I am well and bettering after a few health issues of late.
Hope things are well with you and yours.
R

[Chris Shaw]

All OK here Richard. So good to know that your health is improving. Take care.

[Ted Kniffen]

Ah Richard, what a wonderful piece of writing and such a lovely way of expressing a lost love. I like the ambiguity of what transpired and what became of the two lovers.
Having been in a romance that played out much as this, I can sympathize with the protagonist as he thinks back ... although it has been far longer than 24 yrs for me ... come to think of it, 50 yrs have past now.

Thanks for the memory and the great poem.

[Richard M]

Thank you Ted for reading and review of 'The Red Strokes.'
I hope your memories of past were pleasant ones?
Thank you again my friend.

[Ted Kniffen]

Not all memories are pleasant...but those are my failings.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is beautiful and haunting, Richard...and begs the question to the reader of what happened 24 years ago...What happened to the relationship...why is he looking back with memories when at the time there seemed such a bond.
j.

[Richard M]

Hi Jacob, Thank you for reading this piece. Yes, there was a great bond between us and lots of wonderful memories. A good question; um …. Unfortunately candles burn out sometimes. Poetically, I see your point and agree, the ending was rather abrupt! Will think, to round it up in a better. Thank you Jacob for reading and truly thank you for your thoughts . Take care my friend :)