memories crowd the stage of my heart-theater
the actors all dead
but for me
tears for them come unexpectedly
like gulls suddenly swooping
a perfect sand dollar found
a sudden rainstorm
i hear mom’s voice:
“buck up and carry on”
memories play in my heart-theater
the actors all dead
but for me
tears for them come unexpectedly
singing songs long forgotten
making family recipes
an old movie
i hear dad’s voice
“you can do this”
memories sweep through my heart-theater
the actors all dead
but for me
tears for them come unexpectedly
like a made-up kids’ language
stepping on a toy
a bicycle crash
i hear steve’s voice
“can you help me, boj?”
memories crowd the stage of my heart-theater
the actors all dead
but for me
.but.
joy from them comes unendingly
thriving in my heart-theater
their voices all trumpets
and whispers and hugs
Updated November 2, 2023 – I am sharing this poem at the dVerse Poets Pub in response to today’s prompt. Check it out here: https://dversepoets.com/2023/11/02/mtb-lets-lament-without-the-lachrymose/ .
I love the final lines:
“joy from them comes unendingly
thriving in my heart-theater
their voices all trumpets
and whispers and hugs”
I understand this perfectly. Through loss and grief, there are laughter and smiles at the fond memories.❤️
Thank you so much, Melissa! You picked up the meaning perfectly. There are times that I actually laugh out loud when I see or hear something that one of the three of them would have appreciated and thought funny. I like to think that they made me see it, and laugh with me. They ARE with me, just in a different form. Although, my brother is actually with me, as his ashes are in my studio in two lovely urns, and I move him around for fun, which he would have LOVED.
I think we all learn this when everyone but us are gone, we are there alone… maybe we are actors in a new play without even understanding it… love though how much they are still with you.
I think you are so right, Bjorn – if we are living and loving fully, we will definitely be the subjects of someone else’s elegy someday.
So sad….
But also, what a blessing for me to have had them in the first place.
The perfect metaphor ~ heart as theatre. A stunning elegy, stunning.
Thank you so much, Helen, I really appreciate your affirming words.
The repetition is so effective–the stories of your life together playing in your heart. Broken, yet strong. (K)
Broken, yet strong is a very powerful statement. Thank you!
This speaks to me, as it would many when you lose your parents. It is life but it leaves you with a space. A space you inevitably step into alone. It takes a lot of strength and you don’t understand it until you are there.
tears for them come unexpectedly
like gulls suddenly swooping
a perfect sand dollar found
a sudden rainstorm
Yep it’s like that. A great elegy.
Always the good memories will steady you. This is beautiful
Much🖤love
Love the repetition, the memories enacted on the stage of the heart-theater, and the emptiness of all the actors gone but you. Just a beautifully touching elegy, Kim, with all the emotions enacted simultaneously in joy and sadness.
~Dora