pony-tailed
sweat-pant clad
she grabbed a piece of fruit
holding it up to her dad
to inspect
a mango? or a plum?
(i couldn’t see)
he took it
smelled it
made a comment
they laughed
moved on to carrots
talking about something
or nothing
leaving me
in their wake
surrounded by vegetables
rooted in memories
shopping with my dad
talking about something
or nothing
i saw her
40 years from now
surrounded by vegetables
rooted in memories
missing her dad for a moment
before carrying on
with the shopping
In late May of 2024, I’m happily dusting off this poem to share it for the dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night prompt, hosted by Mish. I encourage all poets and people who love poetry to visit dVerse and join the fun.
It was also really nice to remember my reverie, recalling my own Dad while watching this lovely father-daughter outing at the grocery store.
© 2019, Glover Gardens
Updated 2024
Beautiful and tender, these memories, timeless as they are recognized in the present.
Thank you so much! Memories come when they want to, don’t they?
‘surrounded by vegetables
rooted in memories’ ~ such a relatable and loving poem!
Thank you, Carol. I’m glad it touched you.
I love the repetition that beautifully connects the memory with the present scene. I believe those cherished memories are a great healer for grief.
Those little details, memories created daily… so well painted.
Love this, Kim, so deftly conveyed, the stuff of the heart, these images, these memories, reflected in the mirror of today. Beautifully written.
Thank you so much, Dora. That stuff of the heart is strong and has staying power, doesn’t it?
That flood of memories comes often unbidden. Love how something so mundane, so routine can bring back such tender memories. Kim, whenever you write about your father, you remind me of mine. ❤️
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that my reflections connect you with memories of your own father. That is truly meaningful to me. And yes, that flood of memories is like nature, it does what it wants, when it wants.
It does exactly that. Words that connect are always precious. I always feel that way about your poems. ❤️
Also, feel free to share a link here of anything you’ve written about your father. I’d love to read it.