Prompted by, but not entirely in keeping with,
Imaginary Garden with Real Toad’s prompt “Love after Love”.
Written largely, but not entirely, for my mother
Who will be ambushed by “So Far, So Close”.
Table for Two
Memories of all those we’ve loved
Will never truly fade;
They may recede from daily view
But are poised to reinvade.
Well meant but a word, a song, a scent—
And you,
Ambushed by this refresher,
Are, without any warning, shoved
Backwards through a thresher.
.
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© J Cosmo Newbery 2013
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It is like an ambush when those memories hit you all over again. Excellent piece.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that last stanza packs a visceral punch!
ReplyDeleteNice.
xxx
ha! visions of Fargo dance through my head.
ReplyDeleteYes, that final image is brutal in describing the emotional onslaught on memory. I like the way you have adapted Herrick's stanza to your own poetic needs. This whole poem has flair.
ReplyDeleteI have been ambushed by grief myself. Some days you know she is going to visit, and other days she just appears and sticks her sharp bony fingers in your eyes and heart.
ReplyDeleteWoo! Those we love can be a little like a two edged sword! The for and the against! a powreful poem!
ReplyDeletehah! yeah, that's a bit painful.
ReplyDeleteA most excellent sentiment and poem.
ReplyDeleteA most excellent sentiment and poem.
ReplyDelete... written largely, but entirely ~~~ I love that!!!
ReplyDelete... came back for a re=read and realized I'd left "NOT" out of my comment .. but not entirely. Have a great week!
DeleteI had guessed that. Welcome back!
DeleteThreshing is an important part of Quaker life. Though not always pleasant, it brings truth to your writing unless you lie). I like this poem a lot.
ReplyDeleteMemories reinvade...I like that and some that need to head to the thresher...Great piece!
ReplyDeleteHow very aptly put. And when a flesh and blood visit replaces the mere memory, it can be as catastrophic as being fed through a real thresher!
ReplyDelete