(for my great-grandmother)
And crabapple orchards and hand-carved wood
travel souvenirs and decades-old
hard candies in delicate dishes.
Named Pearl,
she did both agitate
and shine.
Her noodles were legendary.
(I got sick on them once,
and that was the end of that.)
Her crooked old house
was filled with mysterious rooms.
Lace curtains. Doilies, everywhere.
In the end, she called me Sharon. My mama,
her granddaughter. I played along in her world
and learned a few family secrets.
Sometimes, when the moon shines
just right on a cornfield, or the scent of
Irish Spring soap sneaks in, I miss her.
::
Mish has a fun prompt for us over at dVerse today. Come play!
Whimsygizmo's Blog 
I love how you described her house, with mysterious rooms, with lace curtains, and doilies. My grandmother had her crochet stuff, which we all got when she died. Love your tribute to your great grandmother De.
this is very touching, De… May I ask how old you were when she died? your memories seem very clear…
❤
David
Thanks, David. I was in my late teens/early twenties as she was fading from us.
Very tender write De! Lovely and real. Isn’t it amazing what coax’s memories of loved ones gone. There is one song that sends me to loving tears. It’s Steve Millers “Fly Like An Eagle”. It was released shortly before Aaron was born. He heard it somewhere because as a toddler he used to waffle around the house singing it. It was so cute it broke my heart. Now it just breaks my heart when I hear it, but it’s a warm gentle breaking. Makes me think of my Aaron. There are certainly other things that trigger memories but that one is a heart wrencher for me. 🦅🙂✌🏼❤️
Oh, man. Nothing like music to tenderly tear your heart out, that’s for sure. I’m so sorry for your loss.
“filled with mysterious rooms.
Lace curtains. Doilies, everywhere” … I miss this.
Growing up, I remember she had a room that had the ironing board in it. I feel like that was all that was in there, just an old-fashioned ironing board, waiting for clothes to be ironed. I thought of it as The Ironing Room.
Hmm. Care to write a poem called “The Irony Room”? Seems like a good idea to me.
Ha. I might be tapped out today, but maybe tomorrow.
I love your beautiful tribute to your grandmother. Your going along with her calling you your moms name is what is necessary as dementia sets in. Well done!
Thanks, Dwight. The funny thing is, I know that now…but did not know when in my early 20s. I must have just had the right instinct. I love the kindness that comes with that philosophy of dementia. And what a wonderful thing, to just enter their world, and learn things you didn’t know.
This is a wonderful tribute. I am inspired
Thanks so much!
Thank you…..
My step-mom has Alzheimer’s and I didn’t know how to reach her. But I am trying in earnest to bring joy to her on her terms
Sending you so much love and patience. It’s so hard.
By the way, I just visited your way, and loved your succinct piece. So powerful. I am having a ton of trouble commenting today, with logins. This is just in case my comment doesn’t make it through.
Charming. Great grandparent, wow! Mine were long gone before I arrived
Thank you! The women in my family are blessed with longevity.
If that means you’ll be here with us for a long time, then Awesome!
Keep writing!
palpably tactile and sensory, like so much of memory.
Thank you so much, Lona.
Such a lovely remembrance ~~ you brought much of her to life in this poem.
Thank you, Helen.
What a lovely poem for great-gran.
Thanks, Misky.
Wonderful work. I wish I could remember any of my grandparents…
Thank you, Ron.
Oh De, the love shines through this poem through to the end with the moon. I loved all the details that were able to take me to that sweet crooked old house. A touching tribute for your great grandmother.
Thanks, Mish. And thanks for a great prompt inspiration!
I so love the way you describe the house with its rooms, reminds me of my own grandmother’s house… rooms and rooms…
Thank you, Bjorn.
Her name: agitates and shines! What a beautiful line.
Thank you so much, Kir! So fun to see you!
Such lovely details, what a beautiful tribute, De, very touching.
This is beautiful and completely evocative of the world your great-grandmother lived in. You encapsulate a time and place in a single word. Thanks!
Thanks so much, and thank you for the follow.