tanka

lillian

one christmas mass past
my hands clasped, so smooth, so young
hers riddled vein-blue ~
snow covers ground, gently still
my hands hued with age, missing hers

Our Christmas tree is a memory tree. The bell from my mother’s tree, when she was a little girl. The Santa my brother made in first grade. He was nine years older than me and died far far too young at fifty-one. The airplane from my father’s tree when he was a little boy. Christmas brings so many memories of cherished times past with relatives, friends and family. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Tanka form: 5 lines, syllables of 5-7-5-7-7. There should be a “twist” or change that occurs between lines 3 and 4.

20 thoughts on “tanka”

  1. kanzensakura December 24, 2017 / 11:41 am

    Oh Lillian. This made me cry. How I miss my mother and grandmother’s hands. No tree this year or lights. It is too sad.

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    • lillian January 2, 2018 / 11:36 am

      Oh Toni — just catching up my on my reading here. Of all things …I did not intend to make you cry. So sorry my dear friend. You have had so much to bear this last year. I do hope Brad is doing better and you can both enjoy some quiet and boring time — as in no emergencies and time to meditate and feel serenity. Sending love …

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    • lillian January 2, 2018 / 11:38 am

      Sitting in Logan airport before we begin our 34 day adventure to South America and Antarctica — and catching up on reading. So very glad you enjoyed this Frank, and thank you for the reblog. Hoping your Christmas was joyful — and Happy 2018🎉

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      • Frank J. Tassone January 2, 2018 / 7:07 pm

        Thanks, Lillian! Happy New Year, to you, too. And Bom Voyage! 🙂

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  5. Adda December 24, 2017 / 7:07 pm

    Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas Lill. ❤

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    • Adda December 24, 2017 / 7:10 pm

      We have so much to be grateful for this year.

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      • Adda December 26, 2017 / 11:34 am

        Yes we do!

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  6. merrildsmith December 25, 2017 / 9:41 am

    Oh gosh, this is so lovely and poignant, Lillian. Merry Christmas and happy memories.

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    • lillian January 2, 2018 / 11:43 am

      Just catching up today….so very glad you enjoyed. I really do remember sitting in church with my mother when I was young and looking at her hands, then mine, and wondering why you could see all her veins. Now mine look like that and how I wish I could hold her hands once more. Yes .. I find myself remembering — Christmas time always is wonderful that way. My memories bring those long gone, back to mind, with always gentle smiles.
      Happy New Year to you!

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      • merrildsmith January 2, 2018 / 5:58 pm

        Lovely memory, Lillian. Happy New Year to you.
        (My mom is in the hospital now.)

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      • lillian January 2, 2018 / 6:22 pm

        So sorry to learn your mother is in hospital. Hoping for serenity and healing.

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  8. MOMENTS February 16, 2018 / 4:35 pm

    Beautiful poem, so poignant and heart-felt. Love it!

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