I inhale the peaches,
red and orange color.
Peaches so perfect,
as if they escaped a Renoir painting.
I seek a bruised one
and I delight that it's flawed.
I wait with anticpation
to slice into it.
I remember you,
gently holding a knife
and cutting into it.
A smile would appear
in the corners of your mouth,
when you tasted the sweetness.
I take a peach to my lips,
the taste almost intoxicating.
I wish I could share it with you mom,
the way we shared so much.
I carried slices of pain,
between mother and daughter.
I held bitterness to unkind words,
unimportant and trivial,
now that you're gone.
I have not forgotten,
the magic that you carried.
Love you scattered.
Your arms that like a blanket,
covered us and kept us warm.
The love that made walls into
a home.
I wish you knew
that I miss you everyday
since you left.
When you visit me in my dreams,
I attempt to remember
fragments of you.
I remain longing for you,
for words I did not say,
those last few days.
You tried to speak
but I could not understand,
your tongue swollen,
your eyes desperate to reach me.
I hid the tears but
you saw the pain in my eyes.
Mom, as I inhale this peach,
as I soak into this life,
I remember.
The longing lingers,
the pain remains
and I wish you were here.
August 26th is three years since my mom passed away. I miss her every day.
Please meet us here http://dversepoets.com/ where we share our thoughts and our hearts.
August 26th is three years since my mom passed away. I miss her every day.
Please meet us here http://dversepoets.com/ where we share our thoughts and our hearts.
A beautiful tribute to your Mom ~ The peach is a sweet memory as Renoir painting ~ Moving and heartfelt ~
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grace.I appreciate it.
Deletebittersweet verse....love peaches and can def see memory cropping up eating one...the slices of pain, we def have those imperfect as we are...as the peaches but still....soak up that life...
ReplyDeleteThank you Brian. The slices of pain ..you def got it. I never realized that I would be so destroyed when she goes.
DeleteAyala, tears escape as I read this heartfelt tribute for your Mom. Ironically, just yesterday while making lunch, I said to my husband..." Every time I make a toasted tomato sandwich, I feel my Mom's presence. These little treasures evoke sweet memories that time cannot ever erase. Simply beautiful ((((Hugs))))
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your mom and you are right these little treasures evoke sweet memories that time cannot erase. Xoxo
DeleteA very lovely sad poem - so wonderful the comparison with the peach, bruises and all, and so much sweetness. k.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karin .
DeleteMemory and emotion mixed as one, sure she appreciates as she looks down like the sun.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat :)
DeleteThis poem touches me deeply. How hard it is to watch one's mother as she takes that journey from life to death. So hard when a mother cannot speak, when there are things that can no longer be said. And later, how hard to try to remember all the things we want to remember. Good to hear she visits you in your dreams though. That must be just a little bit comforting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. It was so painful to watch her suffer and to watch her take her last breath. When I dream of her or my dad I try to remember all the details and I m so happy that I see them.
DeleteSuch a moving poem...this touched my heart...*hugs* xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louise . Xx
Deletesome of these thoughts sound familiar...i lost my dad when i was 17 and i wish i had told him more of the things that were in my heart those last days..
ReplyDeleteI am sorry Claudia. So sad to love your dad o young .
DeleteBittersweet, but such a wonderful tribute to one who was so well-loved...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam. :)
DeleteOh, such wonderful love for your mom in this poem, and that never fades. Glad you shared this today.
ReplyDeletehttp://susandanielseden.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/my-dead/
All I can say is, she knows. It isn't the same as having them with us at all but, her love for you is still right there in your heart and will never leave. I don't think we ever get over losing our mothers. Mine died in 1989 just 2 days before her 56th birthday. He passing so unexpectedly, changed me.
ReplyDeleteVery poignant read.
I am sorry Bren. It does change us. They will always be in our hearts. It comforts me to think that they are always watching us. Hugs.
DeleteIt's strange what little thing evokes the past and present of a person. For me it's Irish stew
ReplyDeleteYes, John it is strange isn't it ? I wonder what my children will remember me by ?
DeleteThe peaches are such a perfect symbol here, of love, fragrance, sweetness, sharing, from the adult to the child and the child completing the circle back again. Sad, but beautiful, too, ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy. I appreciate your thoughts.
DeleteHow sad. You did such an amazing job here with the fruit metaphors and feelings of sadness and longing. Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephen. I appreciate it.
DeleteI can taste the peaches, see your mom, and see my own mother, missing her comforts, her soothing sweetness, and even the occasional harshness...daughters and mothers...probably the closest relationship. One that makes us what we are...not to be denied. A beautiful tribute to your mom, A! Thank you for sharing and reminding me of mine.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jackie. I'm glad this resonated with you. Xx
DeleteYou capture the bittersweet emotions so well. Beautiful piece in remembrance of your mum.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Adura.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous write--you made me cry--and think about my mother
ReplyDeleteThank you, Audrey. Moms so precious.
DeleteGives me a chill. After my dad died I kept an orange in the fruit bowl to watch it decompose. It looks like a hardened fossil now.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your dad Colleen .
DeleteA touching write, Ayala. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Charles.
DeleteA heartfelt and touching write. Your deep feelings definitely shine here. Tenderly sweet, just like those peaches.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I appreciate it.
DeleteI'm sorry about the loss of your mom. What a sweet tribute you wrote here. I like the image of a blemished peach.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annette.
Deletetruly lovely and full of the special that is our mother....wonderful write my friend, send all my love and peace ~ Rose
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. Love and peace to you.
DeleteThe peach is such a sweet and special connection to the memories you carry. What another wonderful tribute to family.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Steve. I appreciate it.
DeleteI'm so sorry. It's also been three years since my stepfather died and the pain still remains. A gorgeous tribute to who sounds like a wonderful woman.
ReplyDeleteThank you and I am sorry about your loss. Xx
DeleteYou have spoken for my heart as well. 3 years. . . me too.
ReplyDeleteThank You for the courage of your honest sharing
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^=
> < } } ( ° >
Thank you, Cloudia. I am sorry about your loss.
DeleteWonderful details throughout
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt.
Deletebeautiful honest touching
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kamana.
DeleteMy Dad's is coming up too; two years gone just a couple weeks from now. For us it was salami and cheddar that he would carve with his Swiss Army knife. I like that you looked for the bruised peach.
ReplyDeleteSalami and cheddar sounds good . Sorry about your loss. Hard to go through....
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss... I simply can't imagine how it feels to lose a parent.I am afraid though that I might find out soon enough since my dad is not well.
ReplyDeleteShe's with you everyday... in everything you do. She knows of your love and sorrow and wouldn't want you to feel guilt.
I hope your dad recovers and that you don't have to go through this for a long time.
Delete"I inhale the peaches" ... What a beautiful opening line. This was a painful piece to read; my mother is aging quickly, and it's hard to think about the fact that I'm losing her day by day.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry... So hard to go through it and watch the changes . I wish you strength .
DeleteI so wish this had a love button. So difficult when people leave you. Lovely read xx
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly. xx.
DeleteYour mother was very lovely, as are your poignant words of remembrance...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leslie. :)
DeleteWhat a heartfelt piece, Ayala. I'm sure that she knows how much she was admired. You really captured the essence of comfort with these lines, "the magic that you carried. Love you scattered.Your arms that like a blanket,covered us and kept us warm."
ReplyDeleteI feel so fond of your mother and peaches, too. Hope you have a wonderful day. :)
Thank you, Archna. I appreciate your kindness. Best wishes.
DeleteOh, such a beautiful poem! I love peaches, especially the bruised ones :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sara :)
DeleteSo very sorry for your loss, Ayala. You're fortunate that you have warm and happy memories of your mother. Your pain is felt very strongly in your missing her...you put it beautifully through the connection with the peach...flaws and all. I'm sure she wanted to comfort you as you did her in those last moments together.
ReplyDeleteThank you...I have many memories...I am blessed. I am sure she wanted to comfort me....
DeleteIt's those little memories that mean so much, the things that allow us to carry them with us forever. This is incredibly touching an beautiful.... I'm so glad you have these memories with you.....
ReplyDeleteThank you, John. The little things become the big things.
DeleteMoms are special! They are always there when you need them. We miss them dearly when they are gone. We would feel more for them than for others. Great tribute for her, ayala!
ReplyDeleteHank
Thank you, Hank. Moms are special.
DeleteThis touched my heart! Lovely tribute, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mama Zen.
Deletethis is just lovely, Ayala. my heart goes out to you. my mother passed a little over 3 years ago as well, and it is a loss that never fully goes away. you've captured that well here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna. Sorry about your mom...it is a loss that never goes away. I lost my dad four years ago and my mom three years ago...it changed me forever.
DeleteAyla this beautiful, I love the bruised peach,nothing is perfect but yet still sweet. You certainly worked the tears up with this beautifully sad tale. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Di.
DeleteBeautiful and touching
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris.
DeleteAyala ... this could be the most beautiful thing I have read in avery long time. It is amazing. Oh, ,love your doggie who greets all at the top of the page.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...my doggie thanks you too. :)
DeleteBeautiful photo, and moving tribute. Best to you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, JJ :)
DeleteOh Ayala, I have not been online in weeks...this is so full of sweetness, tenderness...I can taste and feel the love between you and your mother...may this memory, your mother's memory always be for blessing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura. I hope you are well.xx
DeleteTough stuff. I think some stanza breaks would aid accessibility here, esp as it's a long piece (by modern standards). Well writ release, sis
ReplyDeleteThank you, Luke. I appreciate it. :)
DeleteHow tough it must be to be without your mom. This poem honored her memory beautifully. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel. I'm grateful I had a good mom that I can miss. xo
DeleteVery inspiring:) Loved it.
ReplyDeletehttp://sayantini-bhattacharya.blogspot.com please visit my blog.
Thank you, and I will. :)
DeleteI'm in a flood of tears, Ayala. Oh my. I pray for your peace in your heart, and that the sweetness from the fruit reminds you of the sweetness of God's gift. Life well lived.
ReplyDeletexo!!!
Alita
Thank you, Alita. Life is good and it's been a life well lived. xo.
DeleteA very belated comment here but I'm so sorry about your mom. Three years it not a long time to recover from such a loss I'm sure...this is a great way to remember her. Gorgeous picture.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ameena. No three years is not a long time...
Delete...catching up with your posts ~ I need time for them, so when I'm trying not to spend the day on my computer (vacation time!) I save YOU for later. This was heartbreaking...I'm praying, trying to regain some positivity with my mom while I still have her. It is not easy between us at all...this really moves me and reminds me to keep trying.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Adrienne. I missed your thoughts here. I hope you can find peace with your mom. Hugs.
DeleteThis is beautiful, Ayala. What a lovely tribute to your mother. Can really see why a peach, which is such an intensely sensorial experience to eat, would elicit these powerful, bittersweet memories. *hug*
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris. I appreciate your thoughts here. Hugs.
DeleteWhat a lovely and touching tribute to your Mom. Sending you strength my friend. I know the heart aches and there will be a permanent void, but I am glad you can allow yourself to relive some of your memories with her. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rudri. You know this pain too well..I appreciate your comforting words. xoxo
DeleteI love the picture, and the memories you have. This was lovely, and got me all choked up!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dana. You are sweet.
DeleteAyala,
ReplyDeletesuch a moving and beautiful tribute of a loving yet flawed relationship. I connect from where I stand...
Thank you, Deb. Loving and flawed, a part of life.
DeleteI'm not sure if I have already commented Ayala so I hope you don't mind me visiting again ~ I loved how you expressed so much of yourheart here, your clearly very close relationship with your Mum, your devotion shines through. I love the pics you have shared of your Mum and Dad (on facebook). This is so precious Ayala ~ a precious jewel clearly treasured ~ Heart touched, thankyou for sharing her and you x x hugs Lib
ReplyDeleteLib, I appreciate your thoughts and support. Thank you so much.xx hugs to you.
ReplyDelete