Tag: memories

Faded – DP

lizaaitken

The light of the day is fading,

cows are coming into rest.

Leaves on trees now withering,

Autumns done it’s best.

Music passes from a distant car,

dwindling into the night.

I watch it as it drives away,

then it’s finally out of sight.

My memories have faded now,

growing fainter by the day.

One day I suppose they’ll vanish,

simply by melting away.

My hair has lost its colour now,

my eyesights getting dim.

There’s roundness to my body,

where I used to be so slim.

The skin on my face is looser,

hands once strong are weak.

Not many an afternoon now,

where I won’t be found asleep.

Time has come to just fade away,

leave this world to the young.

I think of you, our memories,

back to where our love begun.

You are still so clear in my mind,

I still dream of you each night.

Each moment we spent together,

every one such a delight.

Pondering on these thoughts of you,

I can really feel you near.

My heart makes a little flutter,

as you are so very dear.

Now I see you walking up the steps,

you’re holding out your hand.

I know you’ve come to escort me,

to those eternal summer lands.

*

Response to The Daily Prompt – Faded

lizalizaskysaregrey©2016

 

The Energy of Art

lizaaitken

I read my favourite poem aloud,

I read it from the book.

Traced my hand across the words,

I didn’t need to look.

I see my painting on my wall,

she looks back at me.

The woman in the painting,

so real it’s as if she can see.

Then the book beside my bed,

I’ve read so many times.

I wonder why I read it again,

I know the ending lines.

The photos of my family,

smile out from every shelf.

Reminding me I’ll be okay,

never just here by myself.

These items carry energy,

more than just from a tree.

The energies so powerful,

for the joy it brings to me.

*

lizalizaskysaregrey©2016

Aromatic – DP

lizaaitken

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I halted at the Basil plants,

at the local store today.

One moment I was standing there,

then somewhere far away.

I was back in our small kitchen,

that basil’s with me too.

It’s so funny how the smell of it,

leads me straight to you.

The aroma of the kitchen stays,

reminds me of my youth.

Of the dishes you prepared with it,

homemade that’s the truth.

Bruschetta with ripe tomatoes,

oil with basil chopped on top.

The thick pesto, green and fragrant,

we had to eat the lot.

Sprinkled on the crispy pizzas,

dressing each and every dish.

For you to come back to the kitchen,

would be my only wish.

So I bought the aromatic plant,

and I put it up on the sill.

As I breath it in each morning,

I’ll pretend your with me still.

*

Response to the Daily Prompt word – Aromatic

lizalizaskysaregrey©2016 

 

Return of my Invisible Friend

lizaaitken

Like a lot of children I had a friend that only I could see.   Although no one else could see her, it didn’t make her any less real and somehow validated our special friendship.  Her name was Reen, well that was how I pronounced it back then, and we played for hour upon hour in the wonderland inside our home.  Reen stayed close to me, she waited in my room while I slept, rocking gently on the rocker beside my bed and joined me at the table for meals, we spent hours at the bottom of the garden in our camp under the old coalbunker and I shared everything with her.  It was Reen that helped me wrap the hedgehog up warm and put him in the dressing up chest for the winter and Reen that taught me not to eat the slugs we found on the path.  When I was having my hair washed Reen would stand by the door watching and smiling as I screamed and wriggled away to the other end of the bath, I don’t recall her bathing but she was always shiny and bright.  When my daddy didn’t come home any more, she stayed close to me at night as I listened as mum cried in the distance. Whatever the weather was doing and however many layers I was wearing, Reen always wore the same dress, with little white flowers on a pale green background with a white collar and cardigan.

I can’t remember when she stopped coming or I stopped noticing, maybe about the same time my little sister could join me in play and moved into my room.  I feel bad now I think of it someone so important, just forgotten.  That’s it with imaginary friends they just leave your imagination one day and that’s it your on your own.  I remember mum telling me how one day we were running for the bus and she noticed my hand held out behind me, like I was dragging something along.  ‘Wait for Reen’ I fussed as we mounted the bus, a petrified look on my face, because I might leave my friend.  Mum told it as if she believed I really did have a friend, even with all the excitement of running for the bus and a fun day ahead, I had not forgotten Reen.  I didn’t remember this and although I had a slight dream like memory of a girl with a pretty dress and curly blond hair, Reen was cast to the back of my mind.  Mum often said she wished she had asked me more about my friend back then, but a busy mum bringing up two girls she let it go as I did myself years later with my own child.

I’m in my fifties now, I’m on the downward path now although still hopeful, and today I walked into the lounge to find Reen sitting on the sofa.  I saw her as I walked through the door just sitting waiting, like your family might, familiar, comfortable in the surroundings and all grown up.   I suppose that would make sense as she would have been growing with me, but she didn’t have the worry lines I see on my face each time I look in the mirror or any of the ravages of time this stressful world brings, she was truly beautiful.  I recognised her immediately, there wasn’t a moment when I didn’t know who she was.  The dress was gone but replaced by a blouse of the same pattern and her face was soft and creamy as I remembered, with big eyes and the gentle smile that was so deep and warm and hair the colour of summer. The shopping bags I was carrying hung heavy on the end of my arms as I stood and watched, holding my breath, not blinking in case she disappeared again.  She smiled some more and I felt safe, I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time, with a bubble growing in my throat, I couldn’t speak.  There I was like an idiot, standing in my coat, hair dripping into my eyes, the light still not switched on, with those sodden bags hanging from my arms.

Oh dear god, what a loser I must be to have my childhood friend return at my age.  It wasn’t that I was not happy to see her it’s just that it made me realise what a total bulls up I must have made of things since she had left, had she returned to repair me, put right all the wrongs and untangle all the lies.  She must know, yes, I looked into those eyes and knew instantly she had been with me all the time, I just hadn’t seen her until now.  You know when something is so real, there is not time for excuses, embarrassment, ego polishing or the like, well that was the moment I was caught in.  I bent to put my bags down on the floor, still dripping from the rain on to the waxed floorboards, knowing, as I did there would be a watermark later.  I walked slowly, yet within one held breath to the sofa and sat beside her.  I sat on her left, she was on my right and the feather sofa gave beneath me, this was not a dream.  I might have breathed but I’m not sure as in my mind a breath might have blown her away.  We sat there, comfortable like we had never been apart and a small bit of me realised we hadn’t parted, I had just stopped seeing her.

I want to be able to tell you how we spoke, how we caught up with the time and how I apologized for forgetting her but I can’t.  Because we haven’t spoken yet, she is still sitting there watching as I write this down with my cat Eris, snuggled up comfortably and purring softly beside her.

lizalizaskysaregrey©2016

A Shadow on my Mind

lizaaitken

Your key is hanging on the hook, 

redundant and unused.

And on the vacant seat you sat, 

the cushion is confused.

The records on the turntable, 

yet silence fills the air.

Your cup and saucer on the shelf, 

brimming over with despair.

As I wonder through each room,

your waiting there for me.

Your all around this home of ours, 

your in the air I breathe.

That day you turned away from me, 

you left a part of you behind.

For you still walk throughout my days, 

as a shadow of my mind.

*

lizalizaskysaregrey©2016





Misery is Banned – DP

lizaaitken

Any misery today is banned,

I just will not let it in.

I cast it off into the sky,

when I sense it might begin.

Today is for fond memories,

bubbling up and down.

So many very precious,

when I take a look around.

Today the anniversary,

of when you went away.

It rips me up inside,

but I know you couldn’t stay.

Today I’m waiting for a sign,

I’m sure that’s not a sin,

Any misery today is banned,

I will not let it in.

via Daily Prompt: Banned

lizalizaskysaregrey©2016

The Bench

lizaaitken


Today I’ll sit upon the bench 

and spend a while with you.

It’s where we sat when you were here, 

I’ll be thinking too.

Of the lessons I have learnt, 

like those connected to grief.

To make the most of what I have, 

our time on earth so brief.

To treasure each and every moment, 

as if it might be the last.

To not attach to earthly things, 

as all things come to pass.

I will smile as I think of you, 

with memories so strong.

When I go down to that bench, 

will you come along.


Trees Tale

lizaaitken

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The old tree stump connected to me,

from far across the way.

Spoke of years and memories,

so needing to have its say.

A face looked out across at me,

spoke right into my mind.

Of tales of great adventure,

in those years so left behind.

Old witches making poison,

mother nature at her best.

Lovers passion underneath,

winds blowing from the west.

Nesting of many wild animals,

the slaughter of those weaker.

Poachers hiding in the trees,

avoiding angry gamekeepers.

Promises made beneath its leaves,

many broken there too.

Climbing high in the tree so tall,

children swinging their too.

Now it’s chopped and left for dead,

on a piece of open ground.

Screaming out loud to the  universe,

until my mind it found.

 

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lizalizaskysaregrey ©2016

Things We Hold Onto…

lizaaitken

img_1414

Chanel No 5 and strong cheddar cheese,

over that rainbow and always say please.

Those books piled so high, and not just one or two,

all of these things are reminders of you.

Those long walks in summer, while humming a tune,

cancer a birth sign that’s ruled by the moon.

So many memories, tied up in my mind,

there’s still one or two more I’m hoping to find.

The last card that you sent me, still on the book shelf,

only one wine glass now as I’m all by myself.

Sound of your laughter still rings in my ears,

no one would believe, I’ve not heard it in years.

The photos I have out, so sticky with touch,

those ones of us giggling, oh we didn’t care much.

Things gathered around me and all over my home,

I don’t want to forget and feel so alone.

Objects of desire, trinkets and such,

some of these of great value, some not so much.

Things help us get by, things transport us home,

but even with things we are still just alone.

Our Tree

lizaaitken

This tree is beautiful, it might be my favourite tree in the world because it brings back so many memories.  The photos not great, taken through a steamy window on a dull day, so it does not show its true beauty.

This photo was taken from my mums kitchen window in Autumn. At the time Mum was staying with sisters who was caring for her, I wanted her to see how lovely the tree was.  The colours are amazing, we all adored this tree, it grew up with us. These deep russets and reds colours only lasted a few weeks and then the leaves would fall off for winter.  Spring would bring the most beautiful blossom and summer full beauty.  Whatever time of year this tree gave us it’s all.

A while after mums death I drove around the estate and stood under this tree looking up at my childhood home.  Another family were moving about in the flat, another family had our tree.

The tree was planted when I was a child and brings back lots of memories. Sweaters thrown under it while the kids on the estate played British Bulldog, my mum leaving bread and cheese for the birds and foxes under it, and the welcome shade it gave us in the summer.

I know when it comes to trees this one won’t win any awards but it is special to me.  I think I might need to drive up and visit this tree soon. Place my hand on its trunk and thank it for the memories ❤️