Weeds of Absence

[amaranthus]

The roses are blooming in the garden
That you planted so meticulously all those years ago.
I see the weeds beginning to sprout
After the late spring rains and hot midday suns,
Mocking me as I watch from the window.
I can still see you putter around
With your big straw hat and grandpa's old gloves,
With your basket overflowing with long stemmed roses
And lavender,
Taking me back to happier times.
Longing sweeps me away into the gray skies of yesterday,
Dimming the horizon of tomorrow,
As I sit mired in today's loneliness and wrapped in the
Old cardigan that still smells of you.
In need of your guidance and comfort
I put on the straw hat and grandpa's old gloves
And go outside to face the weeds that have sprouted
In your absence.

[everhopeful]

Although this is definitely well placed in sadness, there's more of a bittersweet air to it to me. Perhaps it's just the way I'm reading it, but I feel like the metaphoric closeness of the departed person is still enough of a source of comfort to bring the speaker some joy, and the reminders of their work stir the heart. Much like weeds are incredibly resilient, I feel like the memory of this person is pretty resilient too, and while their departure may tug on the heartstrings, they can still inspire and calm the speaker.
The little details of this one make for a vivid read.

[IronHeart]

I really like your poem, it reminds me of my grandmother who recently passed. I spoke her eulogy and said, "we are her garden which she carefully planted and tended with love, that is family and her gift to us so let us take care of it as she would have."

I am touched by your words. Thank you for sharing that.

[Theymakeyouwait]

Loss is hard to deal with; with it also comes many unforeseen troubles and sadness.

[amaranthus]

Thank you all for reading. And ironheart, it was my own grandmother in my thoughts as I wrote this. You honored your grandmother with that beautiful eulogy. I'm sorry for your loss.

[JASON]

super work - well done!
the gentle tone lightens the sadness and seems to make the absence
more bearable...weeds seem to be 1 thing you can be sure of in life.

[Ladywildalice]

this was a very lovely, albeit personally sad piece. Often we lose track of the fact we were gifted years and years of wonderful hugs, kisses, passions, laughter, joy, blessings unbounded, when we are faced with the loss of the one who engendered all those feelings in us. All we can feel is the pain, the emptiness, anger, frustration, confusion, and often a sense of overwhelming grief. But, if one can muster faith that there is a plan, a pattern, a reason, behind all things that occur, that our life is exactly where it is meant to be at that moment. This is a very well achieved piece and will certain touch many hearts, letting them all know, we humans share so many experiences, hold so much in common, why do we hurt each other.

[Ladywildalice]

Congratulations on the Spotlight amaranthus. I really enjoyed this when you first posted it, and the Spotlight reminded me with a re-reading, how much is still there to be enjoyed. Well deserving write.

[Mizzy]

Beautifully written poem of...
Bereavement, loss and longing,
but also of gratefulness and
thanksgiving.
Well deserved spotlight !

Mick.

[tangerinepie]

A wonderful portrait of nostalgia flowed from the words.Beautiful memories like these are pleasant companions for day dreaming, Really a perfect spotlight choice..Tangie..

[Dew]

very lovely - congrats on the spotlight!

[amaranthus]

Thanks to all. I've been away from the site, and have missed all of you tremendously. Was a very sweet surprise to be able to log in and see this! Made me smile for the first time in the past few months of craziness.