Word & Strings
In remembrance of my mother, Audrey.
The strings are still strong, just invisible.
Simrat Khalsa
Words
What matter words…
one cannot hold a word.
But only things
matter
one needs to have a thing.
And now I hold
a thing
here, coolly, with my hands.
And now I hate
matter
for I have need of words.
~~ Audrey L. Webster
Going, Going, Gone. Serigraph © 2000, Simrat Khalsa
Strings
I touched this person
… and I don’t remember.
I sat in her lap, felt enveloped, protected
… but it did not last.
My senses remember
… my mind does not.
If only by force of will
would the breath move again
and the blood flow,
that the spirit might still be contained.
The body that I touched and loved turned to ash
and was dispersed on the forest floor
to fly away on the summer wind.
Strings that connected
– cut. I was free floating.
genetic ties cannot be cut.
memories can, and do – fail.
Yesterday, I turned thirty-six
… the age she was when she died.
… she looks so young.
I don’t feel that young.
I am alive.
The path forward is uncharted.
5 Responses
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Yes I remember this… What a beautiful monument to your mother and to you – She is proud of you, this I am certain.
It was actually from an artist’s book I made. Someday I’ll have to get photos of it and set up a slide show. It’s a different experience with the images and timing that the book conveys.
Or better yet, you could visit me and see it yourself.
A little more time…
I’m giving it some real thought.
How…
when… etc.
Early summer or early fall are the best times. No rain and not too hot.
Will look at early fall. Like first week in September – hoping for Indian summer in Eugene. lol Things start to slow down here and I should have most of my winters rent paid up by then. We’ll keep it in mind and make it a goal. That gives you all summer to get Vinnie ready for me –
