These I have loved amongst many others.
That green-handled oval hand mirror,
dusty, with paint that would peel and crack.
Held just right, it allowed me to squeeze
those difficult to get pimples on my back.
The old dirty Lino floating under the rugs
collecting snot balls and hair in the corners
Those rugs made a comfort of the floor,
on which I danced like my favourite performers.
The old dirty bed clothes where everyone sat
would become the warmth that each night needed.
The glass in the window, sagging with age,
so often slammed shut and mistreated.
These little nostalgias are a cold comfort,
prickly reminders of all that was
I don’t want to hold on to them anymore.
All these have been my loves.
Written for dVerse Poetics: The Great Lover. I like to reminisce and be nostalgic but it is becoming a reminder of feelings that will not be repeated. While I spend most of my time analysing my own past to understand who I am, I’m also conscious that the little time left to us is being wasted in the process too. This poem could have gone on a lot longer (and maybe one day it will). I think I mentioned this elsewhere, but it brings to mind the Big Black lyric, ‘I know what a liar I am, I should know me by now.’
Today’s Daily Stoic poem:
1994ever 
oh wow! didn’t like each turn at the ends of the stanzas, until of course the end where it all comes together. a well crafted write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh – what didn’t you like about those lines?
LikeLike
This was a very different take on the prompt and I actually liked it. Even if the snot part made me cringe out loud. But poetry should make one feel something, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world looks totally different to a teenage mind. I miss having a hand mirror but never enough to go and buy a new one! The dirty lino floor would be unacceptable to me now. I do still enjoy dirty sheets more than I should though! Haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A nice and fresh perspective on the prompt, Shaun! This is a moving reminder that not every love is glamorous. Sometimes the things we remember most vividly are the worn, ordinary parts of home, and your ending gives those memories both dignity and release. Well done!! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cara 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a unique take on the prompt, Shaun, and I understand how reminiscing and nostalgia can be reminders of past feelings, and not wasting the little time left. That said, the teenage angst that echoes in your list poem is familiar, to a certain degree – not that I ever tried to squeeze pimples on my back, although I did live for a while in another person’s flat with dirty old lino and bedclothes. Yes, never again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁 Thanks Kim 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Shaun.
LikeLike
Well, there are certainly some visceral moments here, Shaun but as Cara says, not all loves are glamourous – you certainly go where many poets fear to tread, snotty lino floors included…
LikeLike