Grieving
I’m so caught up in flicker-
flashes of your presence, though
I can’t see you. I find you cached
in photos, letters, a memory.
You journals suck me into the rip-
tide of your life, drown me in joy,
sadness–wishing I’d been there.
A second poem for Grace’s Flicker Prompt at dVerse Haibun #36. Please join us.
Photo: David Slotto
My mother’s 90th birthday party. She died 4 days before her 96th, the end of last year.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Wonderful photo of your mother before she passed. ❤
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It’s a beautiful memorial for your mother. I lost mine 11 years ago when she was 52 and I still feel its just the other day.
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A lovely tribute, Victoria.
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flicker-flash is such a good turn of phrase in the context of your write.Superb piece.
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I like the line breaks of flicker-flashes and rip-tide, too. Although they may be gone, the memories of them are ever present. Very moving write.
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Very moving Victoria
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This is beautiful. The flicker of memories is the flicker of their lives, returning at sights and sounds and scents — in their handwriting on a treasured card you’ve slipped into an old book, that falls out from the pages many years later. This is a beautiful poem.
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Yes, those “flicker-flashes” of a mother’s presence…still present. Now I think I’ll cry.
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Yes only memories remains…very moving.
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I can relate to the feeling of memories and nostalgia, even loss.
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It’s hard when no one appreciates the journals. She lived such a long life, probably very fruitful too
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I feel the same flicker of memories when I go through the things my parents left behind. Memories are a good thing, as our loved ones still feel close. ❤
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I love the way you broke after the hyphens. So effective.
This is a deeply touching poem. I hope you’ll write more about her.
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Your beautiful words brought an image of my mum to my mind and thoughts of the joy she brought to my life. Loss never quite leaves…
Anna :o]
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This is very moving to read Victoria ~ Love the word breaks of flicker-flashes and rip-tide. Thank you for your enduring support of our community.
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And thank you for continuing the hard work of this site and allowing me to be a part of it.
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Our memories of our loved ones do flicker and remain with us.. your words tug directly at the heart, Victoria.
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I had some problems posting on your poem, Sanaa. Let me know if it didn’t go through. Lost 3 posts, though it wasn’t the math that was the problem.
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How wonderful you have her journals. I’ve been keeping journals for several years, and I hope my descendants take the time to read them. Your poem is eloquent.
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I’ve kept journals most every morning since the 70’s. It’s such a good tool for sanity and for prayer, at least for me. I have begun to destroy the really old ones. No kids to leave them to and the dogs can’t read.
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Love to you. Sorry for your loss. Jane is right- somehow it never goes away, my mum was 64 and I still keep telling her that it was inappropriate to die so young…sometimes I will see the back of someone in the street and think it is her.., very poignant poem. XXXXX
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We saw the same meaning in the prompt word, Victoria. So poignant. You were lucky to keep her until she was 96. I lost my mother when she was 69 and still haven’t got over the shock of it.
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The sorrow will never leave us with those flicker of memories will they?
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Oh, brilliant write, Victoria…the flicker-flashes of the departed person’s presence, and “cached in photos, letters, a memory” all of which have the power to catch us, vulnerable…..
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Memories seem to flicker and pop out of nowhere. Nice memorial to your mother.
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