I remember that old trunk
old even then as I peered into it
barely able to pull myself tall enough
fingers curled over the edge
curious contents to a small child
a piece of lace fabric
a pretty box, flowers painted
a flower embroidered
sofa pillow
a delicate glass wrapped
the cloth falling, exposing
the rainbow of color
shimmering, changing
Mama would often put things
into this big round topped trunk
securing it with the funny looking
clasps that held it closed
over the years
with many moves to new homes
the trunk gradually gathered
a dent here, a broken latch there
but always it’s treasure remained
sometimes changing
though certain items stayed the same
hidden away for decades
then one day a few months
after Mama’s passing and
my own children grown and growing
Daddy called to say he was moving
and did I want some of Mama’s things
I drove solemnly, thinking
what treasures, which of Mama’s memories
would become mine
as I walked through the house
gently picking up
then setting back in place
so many of her things
wanting each and every one
but knowing I would select only a few
I did, after all, have brothers and sisters
they’d want to share
then I saw it....the trunk…
that wonderful trunk
still standing in the extra room
where I’d last seen it
when she was still alive
it’s rounded top
the metal covered exterior, dented
even more than I’d remembered
and as I opened it
after all those years
once again I was that little girl
peeking over the top
into the depths, fingers clinging
and there in all it’s glory
as remembered from childhood
lay the beautiful lace fabric
yellowed now in it’s antiquity
the delicately shimmering glass
it’s subtle colors blending
fading from one to the other
it must have been special to her
even the little flower painted wooden box
still there, now filled with
assorted items of ribbon and buttons
from long ago
books from my childhood
pages frayed and discolored
a blue baby sweater and bonnet
a colorful old quilt
a collection of old newspapers
from the small town
I’d grown up in
yellowed, crisp from age
my first doll, Googles
made of colorful paisley cloth
and big googly eyes
that seemed to recognize me
yes… this is what I wanted
Mama’s trunk filled with it’s memories
its treasures held safely
all these years
~~~~~
I still have Mama’s trunk
gracing my home
caressing it’s treasures
old and new
by Dee Garner
May 17, 2003
Author notes
I still have this old trunk, now with all the latches unlockable and a little unsteady on it's hinges. It must be at least 60-65 years old. It holds many old and some new treasures.... I've thought about having it restored ...but then it wouldn't be quite the same.
Written May 17th, 2003
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1 - 52 of 52
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Special
This is so special. Made me want to cry. This reminded me of some movies I have seen with the children in the addic who find this old worn chest. They open it up and pull out years and years of treassured things. I could see it as if it were happening right now. Great write.
Beka -
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What a nice surprise to have someone read this poem after all this time. It's one of my favorites because it's about my mother and part of my childhood. Thank you for your wonderful comment. I'm glad you enjoyed this piece
Dee
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What wonderful things are left behind by those who have passed on.So many memories not just your but theirs.As i read this one, one of mine came to mind, an a similar vein.It is strange how age in ourselves also sparks an interest in those who have passed.I have many things stored in my attic games painting books, all the things that record my daughters growing They are now grown 33.29 and 27. i would love to see their faces when the finally come face to face with their childhood again.I love this work for the memories it stirs in me. and those that it stirred in you to write it Wonderful Thank you
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What a lovely poem. I too have an old trunk that came with my parents and my sister and I on the Bever Brae from Germany to Canada in 1951. It was made by her grandfather. There is nothing in it, but I will not part with this bit of family history. Enjoyed this poem.
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I love this! beautiful write!You are very talented!It's great how you can take one thing and make it so great and lively in a way.brilliant!
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Thank you, speedy_chick12. I appreciate the read and the nice comment
I'll be sure to check out your work and that of your friend.
I'm glad you like this poem, it's kinda special to me as you can probably understand.
Dee
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Wow this is great. It's very long but it's great. Keep up the great work. Check out some of my poems. Also check out cory gage's poem. She's new to the site and could use some help in writing her own poetry. Her real name is Rebecka. I helped her write her poem she's got on her page right now. Again this is really great. Keep up the great work. Keep on writing.
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Such a beautiful write Dee. I think I felt some of your sad-gladness as you share this memory with us.
Thank you very much for your flattering comment on whittling. You are very kind. -
wow. you made me smile. this poem is so beautiful...
I can see you as a little, curious tot, viewing your mothers things as treasures.. I know I did the same things when I was knee high. When old things mean so much to you because they belonged to someone near to you... I love that. Beautiful write.
I have to say I enjoy reading your poetry because you're older and have had years of experience to put into your words. If I never get to be your age, I will have been able to see from your point of view, a little bit of what it's like...
Liz -
Do Not Touch It!
Hey..This poem was AWESOME DEE..You are soo amazing..seriously this poem just made me glow inside..knowing that you have a part of your mom with you still..really beautiful..the way you described everything was so awesome..You are so wow..Mama's trunk is so interesting and so wow..You made the poem come alive..because you used such detail..thanx for sharing and keep up the great work!
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Dee,
I thank you for this great poem. I like your description of the trunk and your memories. This poem is perfect in its description. The poem makes the reader feel like as if the reader is you looking at the trunk-at both stages of your life. This is a poem thata reader can enjoy reading and understand over and over again. I hope I haven't rambled too much and I make sense. I really enjoy your use of language, don't change a thing. Take care!
Edited on Aug 07, 9:28 p.m. because ''. -
Dee, this is a very nice poem about you, your childhood and your mom... it was a very nice reading, after all this time of not reading or posting any poem. Yesterday I read some Sonnets by Shakespeare and I couldn´t just let it pass, so I wrote a new poem and I´m reading yours now... I have some more to read I see...
Very very nice,
Maru -
This is a nice piece of work describing a special trunk with special stuff in it! it'z a really nice write! keep writing! and good work!
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Oh dee this is beautiful. I love where you described it as being a small child again and it shows just how much what to other may seem like pretty simple things can meen to people. Its true that memories are more important than money..far far more meaningful.
~Emma -
fantastic
i love that you could put so much love into an object, that it shows just how much traditions and heirlooms like that mean to people, it's so wonderful -
marvellous
I loved this because it encapsulated family history, a family story, antiquities, and a love for the past. I really like this....reminds me again how very much the people of the past still live in us...I think this is a fantastic recollection and tribute to your ancestors as well as to your writing...
Sarah aka Rhiannon 11 -
This was so sweet and so touching...it reminds me of my grandmothers jewelry box I have now, and I can remember looking through it as a little kid...It realy makes you feel better having something with these memories attatched to it. Anyway, great write, very nice.
~Jessie~ -
This one wet the eyes. Such a moving and beautifully written piece. I could smell the contents just by reading your words. This reminds me so much of the assortment of treasures my grandma has in her dresser draw down the hall from me.
~Angela -
FANTASTIC, thank you for allowing a glimpse into your trunk, but more importantly thank you for letting us get a glimpse of your life and all the wonderful images and treasures. You have a treasure indeed, dented perhaps with a broken latch, but a treasure nevertheless. I especially enjoyed the entry as a little girl, the tragedy of your mother's passing, but finally able to bring her memory (and your memory as a child) rushing back into your life with the trunk. I'm so glad you could share such a warm-feeling piece. It was a very enjoyable read. I'm not a huge fan of long pieces, but I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this one.
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My mother had a cedar chest that I loved to delve into. She doesn't have it anymore. She made room for the new and tossed out the old. Some wqas distributed to charity and others thrown away. I miss that old chest even today.
THAT is one big reason why I am so grateful for this poem and the opportunity to look back inside the past with you. Thanks. This was a poem that captured poignancy and love, loss and warmth. I love it from my heart.
~ Joyce -
Touching
I have a similar memorey of peering into a similar trunk, where my own mother keeps everyting that's really important. Only.. my mom's a bit of a packrat and keeps almsot everything.. so we now have several trunks. The poem itself is beautiful. Wonderful job -
What a heart touching story Dee!! Thank you for sharing this part of you with all of us
It brings back memories for me too, as I now am the owner of my mother's old trunk and some of her treasures. I think everyone must have owned a trunk in their day LOL I also remember rummaging thru it as a child and as an adult..they truly do hold some wonderful treasures, nothing of great value, but treasure all the same...this piece brought a smile to my face and a warm feeling in my heart...an absolutely precious write!!! ohh, you should put a copy of this poem in there for someone else to discover yet another wonderful treasure
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This is a very touching piece.. There is a soft flow and a very peaceful tone to it all. I see you move around the house.. lightly touching each item.. memories in the past softly whisper in your mind. Everything feel so warm.. A lovely piece. Thank you for sharing.
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Like the nELLy elephanT YESS?
i LIke you?
YESS
saBUr
\\F\fF|ff ff\ f\ / f/ ff fF/
sabuR -
nah ya don't wanna get it restored it would lose its uniqueness and plus some of the sentimental value to it. Each dent, each creak each patch of faded colour will have it's own memoties attached to it. This is a beautiful write, I'm glad I popped by to read it.
Natalia -
This is where she kept her babies, her special moments in life that were so special to her alone. then you came, an adult now with your own babies grown and you were able to see through her eyes how much she loved you - a precious write Dee.
This chest must be passed to your children too - broken latch and all.
~Von~ -
Gee, i could have cried reading this one! It really reached into my heart and touched me deeply. Took my mind to many places...remembering my grandmother's cedar chest...and the way i LOVED THAT THING when i was growing up. The sense of seeing something so amazing when she would open that lid and let me peek inside. Made me wonder if my own daughter will one day have a "treasure box" from me to build and remember dreams upon. Just so very touching...
UB
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catz this piece is so lovingly expressed, so gentle, so touching. I am a little overwhelmed at this piece. It is just so beautiful. It has left me with such a warm feeling. It is so funny what we often take for granted and how it in the end can mean so very much. In a way it made me think of the people in my life.. all a little dented, yet, all filled with treasures known and hidden....
Thank you!
Jani -
I really liked this poem because it gets the point through that something one treasures does not have to be a piece that is worth hundreds of dollars...it is something of more a sentimental value. In todays world most people think of the value of something in dollar value not in the value that it is to someone mentally. I really enjoyed reading this poem and I think it is very good. Thanks
photogal -
Images and memories keep our hearts alive to those gone. Loved the piece Dee -tj-
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it was her hope chest with hopes that you would continue to place love in it carefully and reverently for your little girl or boy and thier little children as well...you have tiny pieces of her most treasured moments....still above ground..guard them and love them dearly....Artis
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Excellent
cries Dee this is so wonderful.It's brought the memories I thought I had lost of my grandmother's chest of treasures.She called it her "lil piece of home"(they moved around alot).She always said many things change but no matter what the "lil piece of home" would never change but instead just keep on growing.She keep all that was dear to her.And upon her passing my grandfather saw fit to divide her treasure among the grand children.I was lucky enough you have gotten a piece of ivory lace from her weddingd dress as well as the pearl earrings she wore.I cannot begin to thank you enough for the trigger to such wonderful and amazing memories.I truly loved this piece. Thank you Thank you...from the bottom of my heart I thank you. -
Excellent
Oh Dee, what a beautiful piece, this is such a heartflet one, how priceless this read is, to not only have those things but that your mom keept them. That is really special!! I know they mean alot to you what a endearing piece this is of the memories warmth, and special moments all stored in the truck and your heart Dee.
I thought this was a wonderful piece enjoyed.....Your mom musta been great lady one who valued those things given to her and that was her childrens.......Love and hugs, Sherry -
wow! i really enjoyed this poem! it's so sweet to look back on memories. i can't wait until i've gotte nenough that i can remember and it's soothing or funny. but teenage years are just too full of trauma. this is sooo sweet! i think you're a WONDERFUL poet!
~Emerald -
This is a touching and beauitufl piece, inspiring and heartfelt. I read it with misty eyes and a lump in my throat and felt all the love put into such a treasure. Wonderful write.
It made me recall the scene in "Little Women." Where the sister goes through the other sisters trunk of treasure, tears in her eyes and a smile on her lips. Wonderful words to create heart touching images. Thanks for sharing,
-Angel aka WoundedAngel.
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Dee,
This poem was very moving. My grandmother has a trunk, and I always love to peer inside even now at my age, I love the cedar smell, and seeing what treasures it holds inside. This was very moving and thank you for you comments on my works.
Carrie -
This story is absolutely breathtaking. I read it and became enveloped in it, what a wonderful pleasure it was. I remember my own grandfather, when I was growing up, used a magnifying glass to read his beloved paper, both editions, and that was all I wanted when he died. Nobody cared, somebody threw it out before we were asked, so I took nothing. I have the memories, I remember everything about him, but I still wish I had that magnifying glass. Such a silly thing it was. But you have taken me down memory lane, what a treasure you have in the round-topped box. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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EXELLANT and touching.
The former years do glad invite,
That treasure lay right in plain sight.
That aging eyes at long last see,
The priceless balm of memory.
Behold the heart, does once more fill,
Though she depart, her dreams live still.
Every body has a treasure box. Be well and happy Dee. -
This is more than just beautiful, but I'm at a loss for words right now... very sad, but pure..... hence the smile and the nice feeling it leaves inside.... thank you Dee. I'm so happy you got the trunk......
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A don\'t touch it for sure
OMG Dee this was wonderful and perfectly penned in your gentle softspoken style. I loved it. I also have one of those trunks that was my g/mothers. It's an old steamers trunk that must have a hundred layers of paint, broken straps and a latch that doesn't work right but inside is a wealth of treasures. Old old pictures of family no one even knows who they are anymore. Just a name on the back like Uncle Boone. lol. Not long ago I went looking through there and my daughter who is more thorough than I am, found an old year book, the homemade kind, that belonged to my g/grandmother who graduated from high school in 1917. Tucked in some of these pages were little poems that she wrote in her senior year and what a surprise. I never knew she was a writer. Thanks for bringing back that nice memory for me. I think it's time to go hunting through that trunk again. I love the way you penned this. Just lovely. And you can snatch any background of mine you want. Help yourself. Take care.
Desiree
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This is good. Keep up the good work! thanks for sharing.
~*Sweetly*~ -
This poem reminds me of my grandma's old sewing box. Brings back happy memories of my youth. Also a bit sad, but I like it.
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Wow! im speechless...this is beautiful and sad but almost comforting. its amazing how things like that can mean so much...this is just awsome, i think we all have something like the old trunk that bring back memories and make you feel warm, the feeling, smell, anything can trigger memories and remind you of things as a child. There is this flower...i dont even know what it is...but sometimes when we are driving with the windows down i will smell it...and it reminds me of my childhood, i guess we had that kind of flower in our yard, but when i smell it it makes me wanna cry! its crazy! but that is what is so wonderful...how we can hold on to our childhood and people close to our hearts...this is such great imagery! brought back a lot of memories for me....gosh i think im gonna cry! thanks for sharing! perfect write!
love
laura -
Dee, this was so lovely.
I could see that old trunk, with you the little girl peering into it.
That trunk is something which holds more value than anything else in the world..
those memories can never be replaced . Never ever think of having the trunk restored....you are right .it would never be the same.
Keep it as it is..and the memories intact.
This was such a wonderful and personal write..i could 'feel' the emotions right the way through.
Thankyou so much for sharing it.
Ann
Edited on May 21, 12:13 because 'I'm blaming the keyboard'. -
Damnit Dee...now what'd ya have to go and make me cry for? Hmmm? I mean heck...how could a person not feel the emotional turmoil in this? The wanting to let go, but not wanting to say goodbye? Wanting to hold fast to memories, but not sure which ones will suit. Girl, I think you have outdone yourself with this one. This just topped my favorites list. Of all the poems I have read of late, and even in the two years I've been on this site, this one just seems to take the cake. Why you ask...because it hits a sensative spot in my heart that most cannot reach. You pulled at it very well, and made me recall the memories of my grandmother that I had tucked away some years back. I now remember why I never wanted to, but I also now remember why I did. Thank you so much for the walk down memory lane. Hold on to your treasures dear, as they are part of living. HUGZ
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ex. canvas of memories painted
Dee- thank you for sharing these personal cherished memories with all of us at AP. Don't we all possess things such as this. (That is, if we have walked a few of life's miles, we do). I have written a couple very similiar to this. Never was about the value of item, by the memories attached to the treasure, I hang on to! Someday, the kids will set and say the same as they go through my black truck in attic. Housing many tiny things that I cherished through the years. Troy and Melissa will say, I remember this! Beautiful work, I can not find a thing wrong with this piece! It sings to my heart! I'll cherish it, as you cherish your trunk. Sorry, haven't been here in awile. My reading list grows very long indeed and I don't work all day like you do! Lately is has been very difficult physically for me. Slowed me down, until I can get the physical pain cycle broken. This is week 4 of this!! Having my cleaning angel in on Friday, just not up to the job! and God Bless You, keda
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I love those old memory chests, you're right in deciding not to restore it...as you say every scratch and bump is a memory.
This was lovely, I'm glad to see you're writing again,
Kyla
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and now you are letting your children or perhaps their children discover the trunk all over again. This made me miss the home I grew up in a lot
sometimes the smallest of things mean the greatest in our lives. I could see in my mind you opening up the trunk the second time so well. Great desciptions of the trunks treasures
~sean -
old memories..
they find way to touch within a heart of time!
I did enjoy!
Keep finding way to touch a heart my friend!
Bill -
Very nice, it does bring back memories...There are a lot of other things I remember from that trunk. I will have to write a bit about some of my memories. I had forgotten all about it until last night when you mentioned it. You are right, this will work great in our book. Keep writing...We have a life time to put on paper yet. Hugs sis, Darlene
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Dee sugar,
Great nostalgia!
hugs,
jim -
You are right don't touch it all.. the beauty that you cherish will fade away if you restore it... this was absolutly a wonderful poem of cherished memories..
Yvonne
how have you been?
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