Books We Have Read More Than Once .. Comfort Books
This book came about after editing the journal I kept during the last five years of my Mother's life.
I return to read, to feel, to see
'tis but a dance with memory
For in my words her spirit thrives
a love that time itself survives
In pages bound my heart's refrain
a tale of years, of joy and pain
We journeyed long through shadowed halls
where memories dim, where silence calls
The print may fade, the pages wear
in my heart, forever there
****
I held her in my arms
solo witness as life ebbed
shallow breaths
tiny sips of air
in a deep sleep now
the time has come
I spoke softly
trust she heard
found comfort in the
sound of my voice
a tear escaped her eye
instinctively I touched it
lifted it to my face
blending our tears ~ and
it ended

Dearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteIt was PURE LOVE that you journeyed with your Mother...
Your Mother will be there for you when you need her in your final moments.
Souls never die and they survive the brutal physical attacks to one's body and mind.
Hugs,
Mariette
It was my dad who used to get the job of reading to my brother and me, a bedtime ritual. A precious and magical time! This might explain why, ever since, I read awhile in bed before I sleep. Also, I carried on the tradition with my sons – in their case their mother who read the bedtime stories – until they in turn were old enough to read for themselves. My Firstborn still has this habit, I perceive; also he instituted it with his stepdaughter when she was young.
ReplyDeleteVery poignant... to write about and keep fresh memories of that journey is a beautiful and hopefully healing, strengthening process.
ReplyDeleteLovely words and poem, so heart felt and such a beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad for you, Helen, that you so like a book content that you would read it more than once.
ReplyDeleteMy time
My interest i teadinone twice is low
I do read parts of a learning book, tips for writing, parts of text books for a reason like being graded for a course or my own or studentlike others. proficiency
I often check out books from the librarys that I then don't read.
..
Forgot, need to tell you, I am Jim
DeleteYou are blessed to have this book!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Mother you had. Your love for her is still palpable. As Ollie said you are blessed.
ReplyDeleteOops....t'was Rall
ReplyDeleteAmazing both the poem and the diaries. I was really moved. You can turn to your book and remember until it doesn't hurt❤️🌼..
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how something written years before can bring back that time.
ReplyDeleteWhy keeping a journal is so important. A single sentence can conjure up an entire day, month, year! A dance with memory, beautifully portrayed.
ReplyDeleteSuch tenderness. Blessed memories
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, heartfelt writing, Helen!
ReplyDelete