Memory Still
“I am in my mother’s room.”
Samuel Beckett, Molloy
Stained glass, radiant with hummingbirds,
this light was long a fixture in her dining room
as it cast its many-colored rays onto the walls
and a golden glow across many a holiday
dinner of homemade dishes and desserts
served with love and family laughter.
One of the few traces of her life left
in this world, as a reminder of those days
it now hangs in the corner of a bedroom,
spare with just a repurposed child’s dresser
filled with clothing that waits to be sorted
for donation and a bed of far too few nights.
My home was her home, independence
the price of failing health, and displacement
was a tax she shouldered with sadness.
The hummingbirds often stayed lit,
their brilliance a reminder of better days,
however brief her days with me would be.
This light will not be dimmed forever.
Her granddaughter shares a fondness
for hummingbirds. One day, their glow
will grace her home, a welcome addition
to a family sure to be filled with happiness
and a reminder of one who is held so dear.
This poem is my response to Poetics: Opening Sentences of Famous Novels, the prompt from Linda Lee Lyberg at dVerse ~ Poets Pub, which is to use one of twelve sentences provided. I have chosen “I am in my mother’s room” from Molloy, by Samuel Beckett, published in 1951.
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Such beautiful words Ken. My mom lived with us for 8 years, but then her care became too great. She’s been gone since 2011.
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Thank you, Linda.
For us it was two years, then she only lasted three months in a nursing home.
Thank you for the prompt.
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Wonderful linker, Ken. Thanks.
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Thanks, Ron..
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This touched me, Ken. I like how certain objects can bring memories like this, and you wrote so well about it. It’s nice your daughter will get the lamp.
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Thank you, Merril.
She has mentioned the possibility of hanging it in the nursery (another granddaughter coming in September!). ❤
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Oh wow! Congratulations, Ken! 💙
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❤ Thank you.
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A poignant reminder of the connections that we pass on in both spirit and matter. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe.
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Poignant…poem infused with realism style gives it added edge…so good about the humingbird liking by granddaughter…
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😀 Thank you, Ain.
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A very moving poem, Ken. I could feel the angst and the joy of her life in your words. I hope it passes on down the line again and again.
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Thank you, Dwight.
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Love the symbolism as well as the story of passing from mother to son to granddaughter – light of love – wonderful symbol!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Very moving, a tender tribute Ken.
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Thank you, Paul.
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I can relate to this so thoroughly. I feel the love Ken. So very nicely done.
Pat
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Thank you, Pat ❤
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This is very touching, Ken. It is wonderful how inter-generational connections remain alive through much loved objects.
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Thank you. We are the lives we share and the lives shared with us.
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Absolutely! You are welcome.
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This is so very poignant… and to have had your mother with you for a short time also means that you will be the guardian of those hummingbirds to pass on later.
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Thank you, Björn. I am glad to have had that time with her.
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Very touching, Ken, a sweet memory of a mom as seen through stained glass. Melancholic yet poignant.
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Thank you, Ron. If anyone would know…
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