As young child it fascinated me
It was an old blue leather handbag
even then
not worth a penny
yet contained priceless memories.
Pictures of my family
Some so old time had turned them
to sepia.
Little cards the nurses gave
telling date, time, weight and sex
upon the moment of birth.
Envelopes with locks of hair
a few poems on scraps of paper
from yours truly.
Theater programs, cinema tickets
school swimming certificates
bracelets, smelling salts
and,
my mother’s most prized possession
a pair of Oh so delicate fine lace gloves
which were her mother’s.
A bag of magic to me as I’d ask if
I could get it out of the cupboard
and then she’d talk about this person
or that event and, her eyes would shine.
It was the only thing I ever asked for
of hers if and when she died
never thinking that it would
come to pass so suddenly
and now ever since 1989 the bag
and all of its memories
became mine to treasure too.
~*~
© Daydreamertoo *All rights reserved
*Memories are priceless and worth so much more (to me) than material possessions.
You can only see some of the pics and cards and such there that I scattered to take the picture but, in the bag are dozens more.
The pic in the bag of the man holding the baby is my father and …me 🙂
Shared with Poetry Jam If I could have just a moment
Poets United Think Tank #114 Timeworn
So much to share with your family…one could be so lucky
Very lovely poem Bren…..a treasure to keep…
So glad you became the keeper of the magic bag. Lovely piece here.
A bag full of moments frozen in time is something to treasure forever! Love this poem ! 🙂
A compelling story, beautifully told.
those family things are indeed treasures
I love pictures! I can sit for hours looking at them over and over!
Brenda, so wonderful!! I love the photo and the poem. What a wonderful time to sit and share with your mom. A very loving write, thoroughly enjoyed it. 🙂
beautiful…a bag of magic…rush of memories to hold..
These memories are indeed a real treasure !!!
Oh I know. Memories are golden, worth more than millions of dollars. When I see a purse like that, so richly laden, I want to come over, have a cup of tea and hear all the stories……maybe we can start using the occasional photo from our stash to trigger a poem……
Daydreamer Too,
I read your poem and connected with it so well. My mother had an old brown leather case, filled with photographs….I often spent time with her looking through them.
Sadly when she died, it was though the case died too. I never set eyes on it again…..Claimed by a younger sibling.
Eileen
Very touching and what a wonderful legacy to inherit.
How priceless and endearing…not only to you have the handbag and contents, but the memory of your mothering sharing stories of the treasure inside.
What a bag of precious memories and loving souvenirs ~
I love the personal share Bren ~ It is a treasure indeed ~
“A bag of magic to me”
Oh yes. You have articulated not only what is in the bag, but also what touching the bag and carrying it and opening it meant for time with Mother.
I think when I see my mom and dad next weekend, I will ask if we can take out the box and the albums. The last time I did this had to be back in the early 1990s when they were the age I am now. Thank you for the suggestion.
I am so touched by this piece. That literal bag of treasured memories is utterly priceless. Thank you for sharing the image, the details, your story.
Like but don’t like … because I want to forget … lucky you, if you want to remember, my friend. Love, cat.
nice to have a bag we can go to to reminsce, somewhere most people have something, mine is mostly in my head with all the voices haha
Bren, it is so wonderful that some of these special MOMENTS have been preserved, and you can look back at them whenever you wished to do so. TheTIMEWORN blue leather handbag certainly holds beautiful treasures. I don’t blame you for asking for it. A very nice memory poem.
nice…i can so relate and it has passed on to my kids as well…the tangible bits of memory…when i worked at a camp we made these medicine bags we always carried on our belt to collect them as well….
It’s nice to have so much meaning belong to us. Great writing!
Bren,
I loved what you shared! I love the photo, the snippets of all the gathered mementos of memories~ It was wonderful and I am so happy you have it…just wish not so soon! I too feel the warmth of this gift and the way you portrayed it! Magical~
Lovely telling of a personal story. like photograph above
lovely poem…i love your treasured “memory keeper” too 🙂
A bagful of priceless treasure … no hunting involved! This is so warmly and lovingly composed ……….
You are so right:
Objects are memories too, like photographs.
And they don’t need to be works of art or precious stones.