A puppet is among my souvenirs
dangling dutch boy blue legs, funny red hat,
strings by which he dances, moves his stray arms;
Eyes wide, jaw clacking, wooden acrobat,
I bought him from a man named Geppetto
Intricate black lace waves causing a breeze,
hides a face or sometimes sends a signal
Spread open or closed, while Tango dancers
tap toes, shake maracas, brass bells jingle
A fan also among my souvenirs
Faded photos - mother, father, five kids
taken long ago in Old Mexico'
cathedrals, speeding taxis and trumpets
delicious sopa, pan and pisco
fond memories among my souvenirs
taken long ago in Old Mexico'
cathedrals, speeding taxis and trumpets
delicious sopa, pan and pisco
fond memories among my souvenirs
Riding the northern train to Old Cape Cod
Met a woman in the food car, we talked;
she had known Katharine Hepburn, my idol,
built her theater near the old town clock
Journal notes are among my souvenirs
Wedding bells, long held passionate kisses
kept Valentine card expressed love and joy
He knelt on his knees and held my left hand,
put a ring on my finger, sailor boy
It too...
came to be....
among my souvenirs
There is an old song about this, but these are not the words...Karin has us writing something today that is repetitious over at dversepoets.com
came to be....
among my souvenirs
There is an old song about this, but these are not the words...Karin has us writing something today that is repetitious over at dversepoets.com
I enjoyed reading of your mementos, Katy. My favorite was the one of your experience on the food car, meeting a woman who had known Katherine Hepburn. Sometimes on planes and trains one can have the most interesting conversations with people one will never see again, except they stay in memory forever!
ReplyDeleteThere is an interesting structure here beyond the souvenirs-- that I much enjoyed--the boy kneeling and the ring--it is almost jarring when you talk of "it" being a souvenir--of course, you are speaking of the card and ring, but there's a real sadness there, and one things also of the puppet and the fan - and wonders if maybe there was not some loss there that the writer herself had something to do with! All very interesting and vivid. Thanks, kkkaty. k.
ReplyDelete..you are very astute...the puppet and fan point to distancing myself from parents (father) I believe...Thanks.
Deletethe things we keep...or that keep us...that remind us of points along the journey...of those that travelled with us if by for a time...and those who chose to share it with us....what an interesting woman to have met as well...who knew one of your heroes....a near touch....
ReplyDelete...does that count as two degrees of separation?
Delete...like 6 degrees maybe??
ReplyDeletegives a nostalgic feeling
ReplyDeletehow cool on the puppet... they fascinate me...reminded me of pinocchio a bit..and cool on meeting a woman who knew katherine hepburn...wow... i bet you have asked her thousand questions...smiles...thanks for sharing your souvenirs and memories with us
ReplyDeleteI do so enjoy your poems Katy. The puppet image is so very well done, though you didn't say he his nose grew like the other one Geppetto made I think.
ReplyDeleteOur souvenirs are the history of our lives. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteHa...thank you Michael...I think I left that out purposefully so as to just allude to the humanness of a puppet ;)
ReplyDeleteSouvenirs are the best of momentoes, for it is all up to us - an expensive, affordable or a giveaway. But when it comes to reflecting back they are all of great value, even a conversation with a stranger! Nicely Kathy!
ReplyDeleteHank
An interesting life you lead Katy, we keep souvenirs as memories of places seen, moments treasured. I loved this, especially your last verse - beautiful as always.
ReplyDeleteFascinating how the mementos we keep are actually just so much more than things.. they are actually part of what we are... so fascinating to meet someone that know someone.. when 6 degrees collapse into 2... love it.
ReplyDeleteYes, many treasures are the intangible ones, recorded somewhere in our minds and hearts. Have a good day.
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ReplyDeleteI like the use of souvenirs, solid or otherwise as wispy memories ~ Their stories are interesting too ~ Specially like the twist in the end ~
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your series of mementoes, Katy, as well as the nostalgic mood. I also have a number of souvenirs that come back to me thanks to photos.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is beautiful! Love the header up top......this is a lovely poem about memories and mementos among your souvenirs. Cool!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem
ReplyDeleteReplete in nostalgia for those simpler times when one never knew what would come around the next bend--thanks for sharing :) ~peace, Jason
ReplyDeletesouvenirs are great memory keepers..may we hold on to those treasures always..
ReplyDeleteSouvenirs mark our memories and the important points along our journey. Much to cherish.
ReplyDeleteMementos could hold the saddest of memories as expressed
ReplyDeletein your words, katy. You were able to bring us easily in your images. Fantastic job. Smiles.