Notes About The Poem

For Constance La France's Elegy Contest.

 

 

Elegy for my Grandpa

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”  Rumi

Oils from my lantern of longing still burn,
as mamma constantly calls for you.
It's raining in mournful melodies,
serenading sorrowfully under moonlight melancholy,
as my tears reflect in a plethora of painful puddles.
In desolate darkness, all I see is your face.
I can still hear the echoes of your last goodbye,
where you asked to come and see you soon.
I resemble the mood of the moon,
but my innocent illumination remains intimately inherent.
I will never forget auburn autumn leaves lingering,
casually covering your granite grave with fresh flowers.
I could sit here forever,
waiting to hear you call my name.... One more time.

If only we could return to your abode,
walk along that cobbled path and then
sit in your verdant veranda full of vibrant colours.
Savour a cup of tea and listen to all your tales,
because the birds still arrive, wondering where you are.
How those people used to come from afar,
now all that's left is emptiness and silence.
From nothing you built your own castle,
despite so many obstacles placed in your way.
You won the hearts and respect of so many,
with your compassion and sincerity.
Your hands would nourish the sweetest fruits
and the most delectable, perfumed honeysuckle.
But now they too seem to have wilted away.

I'll always suffer from the pangs of loss,
but I know you would want me to smile
and always spread joy and compassion.
I wonder one day when we meet again,
will we plant pretty petals in heaven's garden.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


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Date: 8/7/2024 1:32:00 PM
Silent, congratulations on your win in my contest with this wonderful and emotional elegy poem, I liked it a lot, loved the quote too, well done, Constance
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Date: 7/29/2024 8:08:00 AM
So much love for your grandpa Dear Silent and I love it for you. It's an immense feeling that our loved ones remain deeply rooted in our heart and memories. That is what's most important. No one wants to be forgotten. No matter how long we stay or what we do. The essence is to be remembered. To create an impact and leave a long lasting memory in the hearts of people. My mum called and said " you haven't sent your tribute in for your grandpa." Well I really don't know what to write. Great one.
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Date: 7/23/2024 5:58:00 PM
"Oils from my lantern of longing still burn" - Beautiful. A great elegy for the grandpa. Congratulations!
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Date: 7/23/2024 9:42:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. Your "Grandpa" is a lovely write. I never had any. One passed before I was born. The other one when I was a baby. Have a wonderful day writing away................
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Date: 7/21/2024 6:49:00 AM
I echo your sentimental words to and of your grandpa, you seem to have had a wonderful relationship with him. Why I mention echo is that my grandpa and I had a great relationship from when I was old enough to remember. Having attended a public school and remaining in England to study to become an optician, he spoke English perfectly although of Greek decent. he sent me tapes and tapes of stories mostly true of his life, all in English. As i got into my early teens he sent me all the most modern sunglasses and I spent my 21st with him in Greece, he died shortly there after leaving me heart broken. Hugs and blessings PS yes we will meet them both one day and forgot to mention he was a great poet and encouraged me further. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
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Date: 7/20/2024 10:01:00 AM
Excellent elgy. Emotional and touching.
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Date: 7/20/2024 2:47:00 AM
Lovely elegy. I enjoyed reading it and felt your grief as it followed each word. God bless you always, love, Gina
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Date: 7/20/2024 12:51:00 AM
Heartfelt elegy for your grandpa, i lost my grandpa few years ago and it was a sudden death so i feel this poem deeply and strongly. Very well woven with metaphors and imagery as well as great use of alliteration throughout, youv expressed so well here, in a way readers can feel and usual elegy flow and pattern which you have mastered so well“ because the birds still arrive, wondering where you are. How those people used to come from afar,” what a line and how youv written about the last goodbye is soul touching and very moving . Can feel the sincerity of emotions! Well delivered! May your grandpas soul rest in peace: best wishes for the contest too
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Date: 7/19/2024 9:11:00 PM
Such beautiful and soulful memories of your grandpa....a man who left a good name behind as a true gentleman. A man of compassion will ever be cherished. I understand that he was a self made man who spread a lot of positive vibes around him. I lost my grandparents at a young age. Still I have some sweet memories of them. "If only we could return to your abode, walk along that cobbled path and then sit in your verdant veranda full of vibrant colours. Savour a cup of tea and listen to all your tales"..... These lines have plunged me into a deep nostalgic yearning. A great entry for the contest. All the Best, dear Silent One
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Date: 7/19/2024 8:19:00 PM
I have a very special bond with my grandpa who passed on when I was only 20...you broke my heart with this soulful song , eerily beautiful...
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Date: 7/19/2024 7:33:00 PM
"Oils from my lantern of longing still burn," -- Love that! Great beginning. "I'll always suffer "from the pangs of loss, but I know you would want me to smile and always spread joy and compassion." -- perfect summary and moral." Deep, abiding love crosses all dimensions. Affectionately revisits those who care and long in fond memory.
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Date: 7/19/2024 7:03:00 PM
Great Elegy, my friend. So many memories of all I've lost.
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Date: 7/19/2024 6:54:00 PM
I didn't know my grandparents very well, although I came to realise that my Nana, with whom we stayed in England for about 18 months when I was little, most probably "saved" me by being very loving and nurturing. We left England when I was three years old, and I know now that I felt the loss of her companionship deeply. I will forever be grateful to her, and her wise and loving words in the few times we got to communicate. She also loved gardening. Heartwarming Elegy. Reminds me of her ((Hugs))
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Date: 7/19/2024 5:52:00 PM
I agree with Rumi- this is such a beautiful, reminiscent poem... I loved the opening line especially, and "because the birds still arrive, wondering where you are"- that's just beautiful.... :)
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Date: 7/19/2024 3:21:00 PM
You experienced all that I'd wish for, I never knew any of my grandparents, so there is always an emptiness there, probably why I write sad poetry better than uplifting poetry
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Date: 7/19/2024 1:47:00 PM
Well, after reading inky s then yours I'm jealous. It would have been nice to have had these kind of relationships. I'm glad you did. Awesome elegy
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Date: 7/19/2024 1:36:00 PM
A wonderful tribute to your grandpa and love for him. … Your hands would nourish the sweetest fruits and the most delectable, perfumed honeysuckle. But now they too seem to have wilted away…We all hope that they look in on us now and again. Bless you, my friend!
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Date: 7/19/2024 1:36:00 PM
What a lovely saying , I love the way you began with Rumi and ended with Silent One, I am convinced you see with your heart and soul , winner material according to me, lets see !
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