serve medicinal gratitude mind triggers blow control shoot practice treasure you stories
Poets and storytellers invited us to use the number 10.
I also draw inspiration from dVerse - Poet's Pub
The Repository
“Ah, jar 10!”
He blows off the dust, opens it and inhales—
“Eight years old, walking home from school,
Aniseed balls, 4 for a penny!
Oh, and look, jar 23, my sixth birthday party!
So many balloons! And sticky children!
◊
He is rummaging through treasures,
Each triggering echoes in his mind,
Unveiling the stories of his life.
The magic of the bottles—
The purpose that they serve—
Is beyond his control.
No anticipation. No practice. No warning.
He and you are transported involuntarily
To distant places, first loves, past events.
Some smell medicinal, some smell sweet,
Some evoke gratitude, others regret,
Some leave you wallowing and teary,
Others shoot you to the stars.
But all have meaning.
◊
“Look at that, Jar 6: Granny’s fruitcake!”
Jar 3 smells of his mother, warm and embracing.
“And jar 36, that sweaty aftermath of sports day!
Oh no! Not jar 17, that’s tripe in white sauce!”
Some memories are best forgotten.
He shuts the jar quickly.
◊
What a wonderful visit to the memory depository. It sounds really quite delightfully sweet - Jae
ReplyDeleteSounds just like moving house! I like the 'sticky children' and the 'no practise. No warning'. Sports day straight after comfort of mother. Shutting the lid on memories best not held. This piece takes us from the stars to tripe. A good ride down the lane. The imagery is easy to conjure from this poem. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh wonderful to have all these jars full of memories and smell them, taste them again Love it
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful thing to do / have, and what a delightful poem.
ReplyDeleteYour repository reminds me of an old-fashioned sweetshop where I lived as a child, run by two old ladies, sisters, with shelves full of jars. It also reminds me of an old pharmacy in Yorkshire. I used to love aniseed balls – they bring back memories. These lines especially made me feel nostalgic:
ReplyDelete‘“Look at that, Jar 6: Granny’s fruitcake!”
Jar 3 smells of his mother, warm and embracing.
“And jar 36, that sweaty aftermath of sports day!’
Nicely written and great idea. 👏 My blog is where I'm trying to put all my jars.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. I want to go there.
ReplyDeleteLove the ideas of memories, accessible in bottles on a shelf. I wonder if some should have a Warning! label on them?
ReplyDeletePlease add a Tag to your post, dVerse, leading folks to our prompts and website. It also increases your readership. https://dversepoets.com
I really enjoyed this narrative. It was very visual for me, and the ending was great.
ReplyDeleteI would shut the jar quickly. My jar had roller skates in it but she went fickle. I like your poem numbering, mine would be 2062 out of 2985 started.
ReplyDeleteMemories. Some we open to relive, others we want to keep shut. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteI love the repository, and its contents of memories. Clever poem. Clever ending!
ReplyDeleteHa--- tripe in white sauce---- a scent best forgotten
ReplyDeleteLovely memories
ReplyDeleteHow wonderfully unique, your way to use the prompt of ten!! I enjoyed the aromas you described, maybe I also could smell a few.
ReplyDeletea trip to the wonderland
ReplyDeleteAgreed, tripe in any form is best forgotten! The magic bottles are a delightful idea though.
ReplyDeleteI lost this link during one of those "updates" Microsoft PROMISED to stop doing, and only just found it. I see where you were asked to embed it in your post. Here it is for copying and pasting!
https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2025/10/friday-writings-200-to-power-of-ten.html
Some memories are definitely best forgotten.
ReplyDelete