Precious, broken, spare

Poem Info
241 words
4.86
2.3k
0
Poem does not have any tags
Share this Poem

Font Size

Default Font Size

Font Spacing

Default Font Spacing

Font Face

Default Font Face

Reading Theme

Default Theme (White)
You need to Log In or Sign Up to have your customization saved in your Literotica profile.
PUBLIC BETA

Note: You can change font size, font face, and turn on dark mode by clicking the "A" icon tab in the Story Info Box.

You can temporarily switch back to a Classic Literotica® experience during our ongoing public Beta testing. Please consider leaving feedback on issues you experience or suggest improvements.

Click here

Memory leaves us broken gifts,
like a bat without a ball,
like a doll with just one arm.

Incomplete but precious, gifts
we love in any case. As of our trip
to England and our northern drive

along the heights, over bare
deserted land: I yet can feel
the rental car's rough fabric seats,

I see you driving on my right,
but don't know what it was we wore
or the color of the car. I see

the lack of trees, the sloping hills,
the thin white poles sunk tall and deep
along the edge of road.

But was it heather on the land
or gorse or bracken? I cannot tell.
I even view deep snow and tracks

of tires that hug those poles
and mark the safest path. A scene,
of course, we never saw. And then

descending from the heights,
I know we parked on that last ridge
to eat, but what we ate is gone.

In its place are distant sheep
herded slowly through a gate,
a man and his two circling dogs.

The dogs race and stop, race and stop.
The sheep shift like a school of fish
restlessly toward the gate

and the safety of their pen. And
I can see as if today
the dark flecks in your watching eyes,

your crease of smile, your twist of neck,
your turn to me and how I sensed
your lips, your hands, your taste, your scent.

Please rate this poem
The author would appreciate your feedback.
  • COMMENTS
Anonymous
Our Comments Policy is available in the Lit FAQ
Post as:
Anonymous
5 Comments
impressiveimpressiveover 18 years ago
Lovely

You've perfectly captured the nature of memory. Well done. ~Imp

sacksackover 18 years ago
very good!

The trip to England threw me a bit at first, but it works among the total fabric. This poem has a slightly "off the beat" rhythm and is all the stronger thereby.

TheRainManTheRainManover 18 years ago
Just for your information.

The comment below is mine. I did not intend to leave it anonymously. I just forgot to sign in.

TheRainMan

AnonymousAnonymousover 18 years ago
This is absolutely lovely.

I am so impressed by your language, and your handling of it. How spare and essential it is, marching always on. How gently you allude, always on theme.

The only thing I question is the colon. I do not thing it appropriate, and certainly not necessary. Why not a period?

Wonderful reading.

LeBrozLeBrozover 18 years ago
~~

Very nice;

It takes but little bits of thought

To resurrect a memory whole;

Felt like I was there with you

From a time so long ago...

Share this Poem