Fading Pictures

Reminiscing

 

As leaves to eaves

the colors pass

as the clouds

as old color pictures, fading

to black and white

 

Yet, the gray is comforting

as grandma’s old quilt

with the scents of

chocolate chips and

fresh cinnamon sticks

 

They bring an exhale

after a lifetime

of holding a deep breath

for a restart, that

only comes with death

 

They are sugary smiles

that are dissolving away

as I press in my nose

breathing well deep

into grandma’s old quilt

 

While trying to remember

the feel of color

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Such memories are sweet and lingering. But we're in Spring now so the new buds and flowers are all blooming and maybe we can breathe in some of that beauty as well. I enjoyed the read.

[Patricia]

thank you Fabian, Happy Spring!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

And a very happy Spring to you and yours, my friend. I have a little flower bed where I grow marigolds, roses, gladiolus...but this year I've planted chives, potatoes and beans. They're coming up lovely too, all about a foot high now. I'm anxious to see what my miniature garden can produce. Maybe I'll grow me a pumpkin! Oh, that would be so satisfying! No room this year but maybe next. Best wishes, F.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Very nice Patricia, I love the first line, simple yet brilliant. Then the whole theme involving your grandmother is great. A very enjoyable read.

[Patricia]

thank you Micheal, just a warm memory that deserved a word or two.

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi P....didn't know you were still writing....I apologize!!! I love these memories of your grandma's quilt, the colors, the smell, the feel of it really shines out with your always perfect and beautiful words...Bravo
Warmly, B

[Patricia]

thanks B. and yes always writing or my brain might implode, it's how I live, that's not saying they are good writes though. :) so nice to see you again. sorry to be away so long but it took a long time to save to get my laptop fixed, money is tight, as always, and now even more so but spent it now before we feel the tariffs on computer parts. anyway it is is running well. so happy to see you, I hope you have been well and enjoying life, and I am sure you do. thanks for your comment, much appreciated! Big HUGS!

[Betty Hermelee]

all is well, have been writing my second period piece novel and trying to catch up on poetry too….missed you! have ben doing a bit of traveling… we purchased a small 1 bedroom apt in NYC because my whole family lives there…kids, grand kids, so it’s been fun….
had complete shoulder replacement surgery last August… now feeling human again … tough surgery
more later😊🌷

[Patricia]

wow you have been busy my friend. So glad your shoulder is better and all back together as a family and traveling must be so nice. My son almost took a job in NY but that fell through, he graduates in May. Last kid through school. He wanted to get his masters but loans being what they are he is getting out with his bachelors degree. He will do great wherever he ends up. hopefully not too far from home.

[Betty Hermelee]

It’s wonderful to see your kids and grandkids graduate from college, a special event! Lets hope they can find good jobs👍💕

[Patricia]

In these times? yeah lets pray!

[John the Baptist]

Yes, pictures and other physical objects do change with the years, just like our bodies. But the memories that are attached to them remain as they always were. If you have good memories, as in this piece, they are a source of strength. Some, of course, will not be so positive, and these must be released.

[Patricia]

so true John, thank you for kind visit. Hope you are well.

[Vol]

Patricia,
I wonder how many know this feeling, where all the senses meld into one experience? My grandmother had a quilting frame hanging from the ceiling in her bedroom. She made one for each of her 22 grandkids. But when I was able to sleep over at her house, my bed was hand crafted in heaven. It had a strange ability to conform perfectly to my body but with no hint of sagging. Out there in the countryside, the only heat was from a potbellied stove in the living room that burned out early. By morning, I was snuggled deep and would wake to a cloud of my own breath as content as if in a womb. I think the last time I slept there was in 1976... fifty years ago now, but I am still sustained by the memories.
Vol

[Patricia]

Hi Vol, thank you for sharing your memories, they are incredible, they are very strong in your memory, old pictures help bring them back, thank you for your wonderful comment, and that bed sounds like heaven.

[Vol]

Patricia,
It was, indeed... I have never slept on wone that even comes close...
Vol

[Lorry]

I remember that feel of colour, coincidentally from an old black and white picture taken of me, younger sis and older brother on grandma's old bed. I remember the colour and texture of it all and even how the piping on it reminded me of coconut and raspberry sponges, a popular biscuit at the time that I haven't thought about in forever.
It is amazing how vibrant that picture is in my mind and not only the colour that was removed in black and white pictures, but the freshly laundered smell that you just knew was dried outdoors on the washing line.
Saying that, I get the fading picture bit too, as I used to have lotsofpics taken in various houses and gardens that I have no recall of at all. They could have been snapped on the moon formally I remember.

[Patricia]

This is such an amazing story, thank you for sharing it. I find it harder to see the color in my memory as I get older, in fact I turned another year older yesterday so pictures and memories have been flooding my days this week. thank you for your wonderful comment.

[Lorry]

And ...
🎶 happy belated birthday to you,
Happy belated birthday to you.
Happy belated birthday dear Patricia....
Happy belated birthday to you 🎶 😃

[Patricia]

thank you so much!

[Lorry]

Weclome... I mean welcome 😃

[redd Brick Keshner]

What a gorgeous opening stanza! Both the image and the diction brings this poem immediately to vibrant life. And the last brings this club sandwich of a poem to its most beautiful form and substance. 🙏🏻🕊️

[Patricia]

Thank you kindly, pictures really stimulate all the senses.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Most welcome, Patricia 🙏🏻🕊