Sara Etgen-Baker | + Follow Poet |
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ALLUSIONS OF A VANISHED NOW

ALLUSIONS OF A VANISHED NOW*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
stainless-steel womb
welded shut, 
buried beneath the oak's gnarled roots,
remnants given to the earth.

allusions of a vanished now~
faded sepia photographs,
a girl's clumsy drawing of herself,
a compact disc, its molded plastic brittle,
a mix of forgotten summer love songs.

headlines tell of wars, violence, and bloodshed 
tidings of momentary joys~
the scent of potpourri, a best-selling book, 
a poem scribbled on frangible parchment,
a smooth, grey river rock,
pocketed on some long-ago walk
treasured remembrances.

When unearthed decades from now,
will future inquirers understand
the echoes,
the desires, 
the fears, 
the loves,
invisibly etched in these ordinary relics?

Will they see us in the dust motes dancing
in the beam of their curious light?
Or will it all just be
a mysterious puzzle,
a murmur,
quickly forgotten,
returned to the earth's clutches?

*Note: Poem published 6/27/2025 then deleted; (Poetrysoup.com/poem/allusions_of_a_vanished_now_1737437) This is my original pom

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Sara Kendrick Date: 8/9/2025 9:44:00 AM Congratulations on your winning work. Way to go. Sara K Login to Reply Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 8/9/2025 5:51:00 PM thanks, Sara K, for your visit and your congratulatory words....have a blessed weekend, Sara

Valsa George Date: 8/7/2025 11:50:00 PM The sepia photographs, a compact disc, a poem on frangible parchment, all these remind us of a time past and they resurrect in us time old memories. How will the younger generation view all these relics. Will they have any interest in these things? It is a pertinent question. Beautifully written dear Sara. Congratulations on your win. Login to Reply Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 8/8/2025 5:09:00 PM I wonder, too, how younger generations will view those relics that we seem to cherish. Their 'detachment' and minimalist choices seem to lack emotion...hmm...Thanks for your visit and for your heartfelt congratulatory words. Wishing you a splendid weekend, hugs, Sara

Rowena Velasco Date: 8/7/2025 2:43:00 AM This is such a deeply reflective and beautifully crafted piece. I felt the quiet ache of time passing in every line. The imagery—especially the compact disc and river rock—makes it all feel so personal yet universal. That final question really lingers. Stunning work, Sara. Congratulations! Login to Reply Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 8/7/2025 5:26:00 PM oh Rowena, your comments are beautifully written, insightful, and kind. I always look forward to your comments. Color me grateful. Appreciate your congratulatory words as well, hugs, Sara

Bill Baker Date: 8/3/2025 6:49:00 PM Intriguing poetry, Sara. Your Free Verse poem was a delight to read today. Hugs, Bill Login to Reply Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 8/7/2025 5:25:00 PM thank you, dear hubby. glad you enjoyed my poem, grateful, hugs, Sara

Sotto Poet Date: 8/3/2025 4:52:00 AM In reference to a bygone era, old, grainy photos depict human ingenuity from the past and how those things influenced our lives, in contrast to today's internet and other unbelievable innovations. Login to Reply Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 8/3/2025 5:51:00 PM I agree...then and now are worlds apart; even the feel of culture is markedly different. Today's innovations take my breath away sometimes. Obsolence is definitely a positive norm in today's world. Thanks for visiting and for your insightful comments, wishing you a splendid week ahead, Sara