Memories Attached: cherished series, opus 5

lillian

Her dresser, the last to dismantle.
Birthday figurine, two fingers chipped
sits on a dusty mirrored tray.

Sweater sets and pedal pushers,
one lacey veil, bobby pins still attached
yellow cotton gloves, last worn many Easters past.

Hankies with hand stitched pansies
on delicate tatted corners,
peek from a small silk purse.

Sachet bags tied in faded ribbons
tucked in corners, sweetness long spent.
And then, there they were.

Red glass beads with silver crucifix
nestled on a small satin cushion,
third drawer front.

Ready for gnarled fingers
to move from stone to stone
haunted by her whispered words,

Hail Mary, full of grace.
Now hailed by millions,
minus one.

9 thoughts on “Memories Attached: cherished series, opus 5”

  1. AnnMarie Roselli-Kissack May 28, 2015 / 12:14 am

    Lillian, I pictured my Nanny Rose – my grandmother’s mother many moons ago. “Gnarled fingers and rosary beads,” such powerful, image provoking words. Those of us who’ve observed seniors in prayer can easily find sentimental attachments to your beautiful and poignant words here.
    Lovely,
    am:)
    The last time I ever said the Rosary I had to be in 6th grade. We were going through all the prayers outside and it was extremely hot. I fainted in answer to a prayer. Sister Maryann brought me back into the school and gave me ice cream 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian May 28, 2015 / 1:27 am

      Yes….I remember “sister school” — third through seventh grade. Sister Floriana….not the type who gave ice cream though. Navy blue jumper uniforms, white blouses with Peter Pan collars. Excellet teaching in handwriting, math, and memorization….not so good in geography. This, by the way, was my mother’s dresser.
      lillian

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • AnnMarie Roselli-Kissack May 28, 2015 / 9:46 am

        Oh, your mom….I should have guessed by the deep detail…
        It was the one time I got ice cream, otherwise, the ladies were stiffly nun-like.
        am:)

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Karen Kordisch May 28, 2015 / 12:35 am

    Very nice. Sad but very nice.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian May 28, 2015 / 1:28 am

      Thanks, Karen. This was my mother’s dresser.

      Like

      Reply
  3. mincs1 May 28, 2015 / 2:50 am

    I really liked this. As I was reading I was thinking this is a lovely description, I can clearly visualize the dresser and its contents then your final three stanzas took my breath away. Beautiful! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • lillian May 28, 2015 / 9:06 am

      Good morning! So nice to see your comment over my first cup of coffee. And I’m up early — sometimes the insomnia bug hits…..so this was especially nice to see and cleared my blurry eyes. 🙂 Hoping you have a wonderful day!

      Like

      Reply
    • lillian May 28, 2015 / 12:46 pm

      Hi Paul. So nice to have a comment from you this morning 🙂 Yes, this is about my mother’s dresser!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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