Saturday, November 1, 2008

Dia de la Bloglandia...Remember?

Do you remember?
Remember giving me roses?
Remember window shopping and planning a future?
I do,
I remember.
When I look in the mirror, I see the changes
but my heart is still the same.
You were so handsome and I was so beautiful,
at least that's the way
I remember it.
The house looks the same, the woods haven't changed.
I remember the way the dirt smelled when the sun was so hot in the summer
and the smell of the moisture in the soil when it rained in the fall.
I remember the way the wind whistled in the rafters and the way I complained about it!
I do remember.
The truck is in the same place it always is.
I don't think anyone is taking care of it anymore.
Isn't there anyone who remembers how much fun we had?
How many dances that truck took us to? How many picnics? Trips to visit family?
Are we completely forgotten?
I remember.
I still make the bed up each morning,
I remember how good clean sheets and smooth cotton feel in the heat of our high desert.
I remember the warmth of a good blanket when it got cold and the softness of feather pillows.
I remember.
Remember our dreams? Of travel? Ah Paris! Mexico City!
Of children? And how those dreams came true?
And how we coped when they didn't?
I remember.
Remember how much fun we had sharing that box of Cracker Jacks and the ring at the bottom? I love that ring. Where is it now?
I remember.
Oh how I loved to get all dressed up and go dancing. Remember?
The music, the people, the feeling of community? And the food!
I remember.
Remember how proud you were when you could afford to replace that Cracker Jack ring with a real one? And you bought those ruby earrings as well.
I remember.
And the combs I had for my hair and my fancy dress.
We did well for ourselves, didn't we?
I remember.
And how you loved to surprise me with hair ribbons.
You knew how much I loved color and how drab our lives sometimes appeared.
But those ribbons brought such joy to me.
You always remembered the little things.
I remember.
There is no death as long as someone remembers.
I remember.
(this is the piece I did for the South Broadway Cultural Center Show tomorrow)
Go here or here to read other tales of Dia de la Bloglandia.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful words......

Gill said...

I'm weepy. This tribute really got to me. Thanks for sharing.
xo

Anonymous said...

I am so moved - this is brimming with love and beauty - thank you Leau! - also love the show you shared below - I love this holiday...

xox - eb.

me2 said...

Lovely...you had me intrigued from the start. Each image was eye candy! Love the shoes!

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely and moving tribute. Your have a way with photos and words.
I also love the post below this one.

Anonymous said...

REALLY moving...excellent!

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

My eyes are blurry at this moment from some tears that want to fall. That tribute tugs the heartstrings with words and images.

Anonymous said...

oh my! what lovely words and pictures! they are leaving me speechless. thank you for sharing such beauty!

Shell said...

Moving and heartfelt. Those who are remembered never die.

Mrs Pretzel said...

BEAUTIFUL. Words escape me.

Fireblossom said...

I have tears just streaming down my face after reading this beautiful tribute you've created. It is all the more powerful for its very simplicity. The photographs are marvelous.

Just....beautiful.

And, thank you so much for visiting my blog and for telling me about Becky. I never feel that I write alone but that the spirits of other poets are with me.

Blessings to you,

Shay

GlorV1 said...

Oh that is so touching. I loved all the pictures and your words are felt. Thank you for sharing a part of your life and family.

3rdEyeMuse said...

remembering can be so sweet ... I love how you remember. :) and that piece you did is fantastic!

Happy Dia de los Muertos!

Anonymous said...

Ohhh, what a romantic, wistful letter... I felt as though I had stepped right into a vintage black and white photograph.

Nelly said...

Wow; this was so moving. Wonderful!

Nelly

Unknown said...

oh man Leau...this is beautiful. This has been a very emotional celebration, so many people opening up and sharing stories.

Thank you sooo much for being part of this Dia de Bloglandia!

x..x
steph

Anonymous said...

Dear Leau,
This is a beautiful tribute to your husband. I'm weeping.
Thank you for taking the time to put this together.
May you always be surrounded in colorful ribbons and wear fancy slippers!

xox
Constance

christina said...

Crocodile tears. Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness ... where are my tissues? Your post is SO beautiful, so tender, so moving I'm just a puddle. What an amazing, amazing tribute. Thank you so much for letting us a be a part of it.

quiltedcavalier said...

Love the pics and the narrative... my DH has a truck just like the one in your post (but it still runs). Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Marilyn said...

Such a wonderful love story with beautiful photos! Thank you...Marilyn:)

Debbie Doughty said...

I'm sitting here speechless. What an amazing ofrenda you've built with words!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Whew! Took my breath away! Do I know this story?
I loved it all.
You rock, girl...

Marty said...

A Beautiful and moving tribute = poetic lines that match the pictures posted. Thanks!

Email me if you want to know more about my grandfather.

Dymphie said...

Thanks for your moving words.

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

you got me!!!
i am crying but not sad! your memories are so rich and tender and loving and full of good things, yes indeed life has been good to you and then the memories, oh yes!!! that's what keep us going only the good!
hugs dear, very nice to meet you!
muau!!!

Yoli said...

Compelling images and words...beautiful.

PJ said...

Oh- I loved your poem and tribute! Thanks for stopping by... I AM going to finish my tin. I love how you say there is no death as long as we remember!

'A Tuscan view.....from Umbria' said...

This post is just so full of love. What moving images, I could hardly see for tears. I'm so glad you have such beauty to remember. best wishes amanda

Anonymous said...

i have to admit that your words left me as weepy as the rest of your commenters.

love the old truck!

great post, girl.

Lea said...

Thank you for sharing these rememberings that are forever in your heart, and that shape all that you are...

DMG said...

My heart is aching at the beauty of your love in your writing. To have know a love like that you have been blessed.

paris parfait said...

This is magnificent! Beautiful and heartfelt. xoxox

Laume said...

Beautiful - and I'm sure even more moving when read aloud. I'm running in late for the celebration but I can see by all your lovely art and photos I'll be back again sometime soon.

Chris said...

wow.
this is really touching.
love it.

Anonymous said...

Photographs, words, feelings--you put them all together in such a true and heartfelt fashion, I could just feel the love you shared with your husband. Beautiful memories. Now I'm starting to cry.
Hugs,
Mary