Closing the Door On the Past

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It’s been many years since I’d climbed the wooden steps to my parent’s attic. The hinges of the trap door creak and a cloud of dust rises as I push the door open. I fumble for the light switch; it takes several minutes for the dust to settle and for my eyes to become accustomed to the gloom from the single bulb. I survey the small space, which is packed to the hilt with hidden treasures. I sit cross-legged in a cramped corner and delve one of the many boxes. relics of childhood packed in old cardboard boxes I find my old bear My mother had carefully packed away many of my old toys and keepsakes from my schooldays and high days and holidays. Oh how I laughed when I read some of the comments on my school reports and workbooks, it made for very amusing reading! I get quite emotional when I sort through photograph albums and see the faces of those who are no longer with us. cherished memories as I leaf through the pages I wipe away tears After several hours reminiscing I’ve selected a couple of items, which were once so dear to me; and then I finally close the door on the past. Picture 3 Photostory Contest Sponsored by Eve Roper 11-15-17

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017



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Date: 1/5/2018 7:47:00 AM
Hi Jan Also from me congrats
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Date: 12/11/2017 10:34:00 PM
Very wistful and melancholic write Jan, and I see it merits congrats on a fine win, well done!
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Date: 12/3/2017 2:23:00 AM
Congrats on your wistful, slightly melancholy trip into the past, Jan, lovely. Well done. Viv x
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Jan Allison
Date: 12/3/2017 8:34:00 AM
Thanks Mr Viv:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 12/2/2017 6:39:00 PM
Congratulations on your first place! Great write!
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Jan Allison
Date: 12/2/2017 6:40:00 PM
Thanks Rhoda:-) hugs Jan xx
Date: 12/2/2017 5:36:00 PM
Dropping back with my Congrats
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Jan Allison
Date: 12/2/2017 5:49:00 PM
Thanks Joseph:-) hugs Jan xx
Date: 12/2/2017 5:03:00 PM
I knew I would see this at the top of the winning list Jan. I'm so happy for you! Congratulations! : )
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Jan Allison
Date: 12/2/2017 5:21:00 PM
Thanks so much Connie, we found so many relics when we cleared my parents house so I used that as my inspiration for the poem:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 12/2/2017 3:57:00 PM
Jan, thank you for entering my contest your imagery of your past is wonderful and flow of words is beautiful. Congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve ~`*
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Jan Allison
Date: 12/2/2017 4:13:00 PM
Thanks so much Eve:-) i am so glad to be on your winner's list:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 12/2/2017 2:22:00 PM
Congrats on your win, Jan!
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Jan Allison
Date: 12/2/2017 4:13:00 PM
Thanks so much cutie :-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/19/2017 1:18:00 AM
Your poem needs no picture.. such nice imagery and the last phrase is perfect! This will do very well in the contest :))
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Eve Roper
Date: 12/2/2017 3:59:00 PM
You didn't deserve the N/A :( , but every sponsored taste is different.
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/19/2017 12:08:00 PM
Thanks Sneha:-) I use the contests to encourage me to write and try different forms - a contest win is a bonus but not guaranteed - I recently got POTD and an n/a in a contest:-) hugs Jan xx
Date: 11/18/2017 10:32:00 AM
This is very lovely, hard to let it go...
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/18/2017 4:01:00 PM
It's semi biographical (with some poetic licence) as it was extremely hard to clear the attic in my parent's house:-( hugs jan xx
Date: 11/18/2017 6:22:00 AM
A 'memorable' haibun, Jan:) great title too:)
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/18/2017 4:01:00 PM
Thanks Jo:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/16/2017 6:18:00 PM
Wow Jan. I am totally impressed with this poem. I'm not much on prose and never heard of a haibun, so I looked it up. I get it but the example wasn't half as good as yours. The Haiku's could easily stand alone, bringing up images and memory of my own! A 7 in my book and certainly a FAV! Great write!!.....80)...xx....Pat
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/16/2017 6:26:00 PM
Thanks Pat, I guess they are more senryu rather than haiku but i do enjoy writing this form and have written several, they do tend to be more serious poems which makes a change for me:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/16/2017 6:47:00 AM
I am so glad you found your poetic voice Jan. You were born to write poetry! Your haibun is perfect for this contest and I am sure to see this poem at the top of the winner's list! Your haiku in this piece is simply stunning! This is going straight into my Faves! : )
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/16/2017 8:14:00 AM
Thanks for such a lovely comment Connie, i do enjoy writing this form:-) As for contest wins i use the contests as prompts... some you win some you lose:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/16/2017 5:00:00 AM
I enjoyed your poem Jan. I have many old relics in my attic as well. I should clean it out but i’ll probably leave that chore to my kids as well. John
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/16/2017 6:00:00 AM
We still have the top tier of or wedding cake .... you'd need a chisel for the icing but the cake may still be ok (joke) :-) hugs jan xx
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/16/2017 5:59:00 AM
We have an attic FULL of bits and pieces and I say to my hubby we should get rid as they will mean nothing to our son but sometimes its hard to let go. :-( hugs jan xx
Date: 11/15/2017 11:42:00 PM
Wonderful poem, Jan.
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/16/2017 4:32:00 AM
It's nothing compared to your poem about letting them fly the nest!!! I've sent it to several friends its awesome!:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/15/2017 9:39:00 PM
Nice photostory. One of my grandmothers was a great collector a- she saved magazines, coins, stamps, books, and recipes. The other grandmother was a progressive woman. I miss both of them and my late father and brother. Such items can indeed bring tears as you so powerfully show in this work. Good luck in the contest. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/16/2017 4:30:00 AM
It's very difficult letting go of items that were so precious to someone else. You were so lucky to have had grandmother's it is something I wish i'd had and I recently wrote a poem about it:-( hugs jan xx
Date: 11/15/2017 7:59:00 PM
The form is well suited for the theme, as you take us with you on a trip down memory lane....Well penned Jan
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/16/2017 4:27:00 AM
I'm not sure if it's what Eve is looking for but I do enjoy writing the haibun form so thought I'd give it a go:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/15/2017 7:00:00 PM
A melancholy moment Jan. Great memories are the greatest treasures. Good luck in the contest my dear friend! Hugs and smiles :)
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/15/2017 7:01:00 PM
Thanks Akkina:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/15/2017 5:14:00 PM
Oh the treasures and treats of an attic, memories reborn, well described!
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/15/2017 5:15:00 PM
Thanks Cas I have a huge smile seeing you back on soup:-) hugs jan xx
Date: 11/15/2017 5:12:00 PM
Melancholy moments, beautifully said!
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/15/2017 5:14:00 PM
Thanks Arthur I know how difficult I found clearing my parents house and having to get rid of so much stuff... but you can't hang on to something just because of the memories:-( hugs Jan xx
Date: 11/15/2017 4:39:00 PM
This is the first poem I have read in Haibun style, but think it is very beautiful and thought-provoking. I am not sure if I would be able to close the door to my past that easily. :)
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Jan Allison
Date: 11/15/2017 4:46:00 PM
Thanks Bjorn, I've written several poems using this form and love the haiku style poems which break up the main body of the story. Its a semi biographical poem as we cleared my parent's house after my father died and mum was going into a care home and we had to get rid of many things and it was very difficult choosing what to keep and what to let go.:-) hugs jan xx
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