Memories for Sale

[Irene]

Just following on from Trish's 'Discarded Memories'

Memories for Sale
© Irene Conner 20/05/08

I stopped by at a garage sale
just the other day,
and there I saw a sorry sight –
sadness on display.

Another ‘oldie’ passed away –
bless her precious soul;
possessions that she once held dear
passed from her control.

No use they are to family
“Rubbish we don’t need!
Five dollars for that box of books
Mother liked to read.”

I opened up those treasured books –
saw the words inside.
Each book would tell of prizes won –
keepsakes filled with pride.

“And what about those photo frames?
Nothing here we need.
Five dollars and the lot are yours!”
How her heart would bleed.

A lifetime full of memories
tossed aside today.
No sentiments to keep them close –
love has gone astray.

I left with sorrow in my heart –
pain for what was lost.
A thousand memories for sale –
who will count the cost?

[David J Delaney]

Ain't nothing wrong with that presentation Irene, another beauty eh!

[Leonie]

Looks pretty darn good to me too, Irene. Sad but true.

My 85 year old cousin who is now languishing in a nursing home gave me some old photos of his immediate family and I am so glad he did. His brother and stepfather have been gone so long now I would never have recognised them in the photos if he hadn't told me who they were. I have lovely childhood memories of these two people (who passed away when I was still a child) but their faces had faded from my memory so I could never put a face to them. Now I can. There is no one else left alive who would even remember them so when I'm gone I guess they will end up on a tip somewhere, but at least for a few more years (hopefully) he knows that someone who appreciates the photos now has them.

Unfortunately even he can't put a name to some of the people in Mum's album.

[Kym]

Lovely poem, as always IRene.

[Heather]

Nice poem Irene but also very sad. My grandmother started to give away some of her precious things before she died so that she knew not only where they were going, but also that they would be in safe hands. I was wondering just the other day what would have happened to her cook book that would have contained not only hers but her mother's recipies. We will never know.

Heather

[Terry]

G/day Irene,
Another beautifully written and touching poem, that's become the hallmark of your work.
It's a subject that sooner or later we will all face.

Terry

[Trisha Patterson]

Lovely Irene!

Trisha

[Maureen K Clifford]

Superb as always and sadly so true

Cheers

Maureen