Sterile room,
smelling of absence,
But Mamaw's hands
still hold pancake warmth
in swollen knuckles.
In a list
A contest entry
- Speak volumes in few words by Lavender Butterfly.
450 points, ended September 24, 2008, 15 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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"Swollen knuckles" reminds me of my grandmother, who was like Mamaw, a wonderful cook. We find our own associations with each word; the image of "pancake warmth" brings the whole process of pancakes to mind. Starting with the empty room, perhaps in a nursing home, sets a frame around the memory. This is brief, but deep. Wonderful.
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hands that
still hold pancake warmth...a very striking image!
There you are ther to care for the elderly but it is you who finds comfort in their presence. We love them to the end...and beyond!
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A companion piece to your story. I clicked because of the title. I love food, lol
Five lines can say a lot...here it speaks of illness, a sense of loss (impending?) but of course it also speaks of love, and of what was and still is...Mamaw's inner warmth.
I am sorry about Mamaw, your grandmother?
Here "pancake warmth" for me suggests not only memories, but also the notion of comfort...what she obviously gave you. Her hands, despite their severity, still carry that strength, that warmth, that meaning.
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I know you are busy- come see me when you can... She always said
I wish I had 1/2 her love for life even when it was just a hospital bed -
you helped me remember again. thank you.
love, lane
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Congratulations ... thoroughly deserved
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This is absolutely wonderful... x
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well said, a wonderful image
There is a lot of love in these succinct words. You have captured the essence of home and Mother very vividly. The poem made me miss my Mum and her cooking.
I like 'pancake warmth" particularly because it was always warm when Mum was there...and her home made bikkies were in a jar on the fridge, even when I visited as an oldie. Now you have made me sad but happy.
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Oh, my, yes.
Tight and clean and yummy.
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So beautiful to hold such a memory in your mind. You capture the essence of family and how important the little memories are here. Best to you in the contest
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Excellent description of the power of presence (both in memory and being) in those we love, who have loved and changed us. The longer the association, the more clearly we see their beauty, where newcomers may see only unlovely age and "swollen knuckles."
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This is very wonderful and a bit of mixed emotions for me...reminds me of younger days and then the days that past us by, yet she was always still there...lovely!
Best to you!
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So many unsaid words that lets us apply our own thoughts to this one, mine are sad.
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wonderful write... best to you in the contest
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excellent
D***, You're good.
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