COLLECTING 1506

Recollections of innocence lost…

Collecting

recollections

fragments at the four number sign

placing remains

in a paper sack that won’t burn

palm trees, grapes, and apricots

lifetime of memories in pieces

emerald spring canvas carnivals

play sunlight play

childhood blossoms

friends in mingled white lights

summer yellow scurries on

sweet collie-cocker spaniel pants

whispered orange autumns

hushed fog settling low

pumpkins plump

McKinley Elementary School

turquoise blue tinted

leaning to the left

of the metal fort

family friend

his hands then

stripped my child body

placed me in his collection

winter came in whispers

chilled world in grey

childhood dancing

childhood tears

childhood joys

childhood fears

breathe in breathe out

imaginations run wild

fragments at the four number sign

recollections

collecting

1506

Author's Note

I grew up at 1506 Chester Drive, Tracy California… We all move on, though we never quite leave home... Here is the text without the fragmented fonts:

Collecting
recollections
fragments at the four number sign
placing remains
in a paper sack that won’t burn
palm trees, grapes, and apricots
lifetime of memories in pieces
emerald spring canvas carnivals
play sunlight play
childhood blossoms
friends in mingled white lights
summer yellow scurries on
sweet collie-cocker spaniel pants
whispered orange autumns
hushed fog settling low
pumpkins plump
McKinley Elementary School
turquoise blue tinted
leaning to the left
of the metal fort
family friend
his hands then
stripped my child body
placed me in his collection
winter came in whispers
chilled world in grey
childhood dancing
childhood tears
childhood joys
childhood fears
breathe in breathe out
imaginations run wild
fragments at the four number sign
recollections
collecting
1506

Reviews

[Lilly]

Oh wow, Craig - in some ways I feel like this is unlike anything else of yours I've read.
I've read it over a number of times now, mainly because I'd get to that one point and 'no, no, no' is going through my head too much for me to take in the rest of it, so I just needed to read it over.
It's incredibly poignant and powerful. Beautifully written, fragmented memories pulled together.
I don't know what else to say except I feel like this is soul bearing in a few different ways, so thank you for sharing with us.

[An owl on the moon]

I appreciate you so much, Lilly.. taking it all in.. these fragments are sometimes all I have.. but thankful a friend so dear as you might read them and know me just a little more... Wishing you so much peace and joy now in these blessed week...

[Cascara (aka Sprint Goe..]

I love your change in fonts: it gives your poem a more urgent, melancholic tone- like your short, fragmented lines, memories are only a small fragments of everyone's lives.

And your symbolism behind the sack and its belongings is brilliant as well.

[An owl on the moon]

I always appreciate your presence here, Cascara... Wishing you a week of wonders now... :)

[Richard Layne]

This took me back as well--a very nice piece tantalizing the reader at the edge of your memories, giving us just enough to want more. i'm glad you explained the 1506 though :). nice work sir

[An owl on the moon]

Thank you, Richard! So good to have you by! :)

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

What does four mean to you?

[An owl on the moon]

Four numerals of my first street address as a child... four in my family... four seasons... four elements... there is a completeness in it for me...

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Number 4 resonates with the vibrations and energies of practicality, organization and exactitude, service, patience, devotion, application, pragmatism, patriotism, dignity, trust, worthiness, endurance, loyalty, mastery, building solid foundations, conservatism, determination, production and hard work. Number FOUR also relates to high morals, traditional values, honesty and integrity, inner-wisdom, security, self-control, loyalty, conscientiousness, reality and realistic values, stability and ability. Number 4 vibrates with the attributes of progress, management, justice, seriousness, discipline, system and order, maintenance, constructiveness, dependability, conviction, passion and drive,the world, completion, practice, repetition, realization of power, ability to use practical thinking, basic form of order, prepare for renewal, instinctual knowledge. ( thought I share what I had read) I see why you connect to four...it often follows me as well :)

[An owl on the moon]

Ah, my! Now I want to read your book on numerology! That is quite an amazing reflection just on the number four... reading again to grasp the wonder and beauty of it.. Thank you so much for sharing.. Hope your weekend brings you endless light in this season of shadows... :)

[Ru Banerjee]

This is such an endearing, searing, poignant list of your childhood dreams! Totally seeped in your world after reading this, Craig!
Beautiful....
Best,
Lopa.

[An owl on the moon]

Ru, what a joy to have you by! Smiling so much, so pleased in where your writing journey is taking you... Blessings, precious friend... :)

[Ru Banerjee]

much love, and blessed be your soul, dear friend! Have a wonderful weekend

[icelandicblue]

It is amazing how we remember portions of our childhood in snippets that we string together. There is so much that we forget but there is such power in what we hold onto and when they are of abuse it strips all of the joy that came before and created a new and stained waterline of memory. This was so sad.

[An owl on the moon]

Yes.. oh you understood.. the glimpses.. the fragments of thought.. of recollection.. yes... And there were so many dark moments.. so thankful for the light now.. and dear friends like you to lift...

[Marie]

THis is something different from you. Not quite surrealistic nor abstract, but more stream of consciousness with a point...

[An owl on the moon]

I do so appreciate your words, Marie. Hoping you have a wonderful weekend....

[AprilRN1210]

wheeew.. pretty powerful Craig.. I actually like the fonts, but can understand why you posted without as well.. this one is as haunting as those memories.. sometimes just writing out these emotions and exposing those scars help the healing process.. I know it does for me.. it is how we purge the mind of those damaging thoughts and recharge for life's struggles anew.. ever growing stronger... you have such a beautiful spirit that shines even in this darkness with that magical pen that reaches out and touches the soul of your readers.. ((hugs)) to you my talented friend..

[An owl on the moon]

Oh, dear April! Thank you... thank you so much... for your words.. your heart... your hugs... You always make the world a bit brighter wherever you go... Have a beautiful, wondrous weekend. :))))