Notes About The Poem
 
 
Sept.10-2024
Letters or Photographs Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Ink Empress
Resubmitted for 2025 Marathon Mile 5 Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Mark Toney 
 

Fading Photographs

A routine annual clean up at the start of the New Year! Among heaps of used up papers and broken knick- knacks- in the contents of her shelf’s drawer, lay a photograph, old and musty. Memories rushed back as waves onto the shore. She had kept it as a keepsake, when love was raging through her veins! A face that she wished to see all through her life, now a bitter sweet reminder of joy and pain. Through the years, what all changes and how their love had faded out of memory. Suddenly, all too suddenly, from the charred bones of a died down funeral pyre, resurrected someone, with lovelorn eyes bursting the bandage of time. His sad eyes, rivetted at her. She saw the smile fading out from his face. Her eyes went dim with tears. In the blurred image, she saw her past. A torn leaf from life's chronicle. A story she had hidden from everyone. She felt the ground slipping under her feet Blood and serum oozed out and once more she became, a festering wound!! Time may put an ache to sleep, but anytime it may wake up and peep!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

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Empress Avatar
October 6, 2024 at 1:47 AM
Dear sweet valsa, not sure how this ended up in third place this was meant to be higher as i loved the wordplay and emotions flowing within your lines! Especially “ from the charred bones of a died down funeral pyre, resurrected someone, with lovelorn eyes bursting the bandage of time.“ wow! That truly stands out for me and is so poignant and clever is your diction! “ she became, a festering wound!!“ this line really made me feel so much too! So heartfelt and sincere! Thank you for writing. I had some difficulties with posting winners and putting them up and maybe in the process this slipped down but know that i really love this poem! Congratulations on your win
Dietrich Avatar
September 17, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Wow. So impactful with emotion. Ink is sure to love this
Roper Avatar
September 17, 2024 at 1:03 PM
Great write, Valsa, enjoyed reading.
Bayles Avatar
September 17, 2024 at 6:34 AM
Wonderful poem and so emotional. Well said.
Kendrick Avatar
September 17, 2024 at 12:14 AM
Yes, the least little thing can spark the memory of a loved one gone on before. Things like scents remind me of my parents like daddy always used old spice after shave and mother used Camay soap. Thanks for sharing this one with us. I enjoyed reading it. Sara K
Williams Avatar
September 12, 2024 at 4:36 AM
An old photo has the power to stir a range of emotions, both sweet and sorrowful. However, when the photo is of a departed loved one, especially someone lost to death, the memories often take on a sombre tone. The image, once source of happiness, now evokes a deep sense of longing, an aching reminder of absence. What was once comforting becomes bittersweet, carrying with it the weight of loss and the pain of irretrievable moments. A beautiful poem Valsa, good luck in the contest...Hugs
Rodgers Avatar
September 12, 2024 at 4:16 AM
Dear Valsa, Faded photographs are found in so many places of our lives triggering so many emotions and memories. I truly loved contemplating over your poem because it does bring to mind those memories that were so meaningful. I love this line: "Time may put an ache to sleep, / but anytime it may wake up and peep! You touched my senses today and I am very appreciative and thankful. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
DiMino Avatar
September 11, 2024 at 6:27 PM
Lost love, one never truly forgets. Interred within the heart, put respectfully to rest...but never to fully sleep -- the joy and the pain to surface in our deeply private moments of tender reverie. Very touching work my friend. Well penned, something many of us can relate to...I know I can.
Buhagiar Avatar
September 11, 2024 at 2:13 AM
A memory of emotional love, now in such a long time when love reigned. Fantastic imagery throughout, my dear Valsa. We will never forget. Brilliant write. Blessings.
One Avatar
September 10, 2024 at 12:35 PM
Your poem poem beautifully explores themes of nostalgia, love, and the passage of time through a vivid and emotional lens. The imagery of the old photograph as a "keepsake" from a time "when love was raging through her veins" effectively evokes the intensity of past emotions and the contrast with the present. The use of phrases like "a bitter sweet reminder of joy and pain" poignantly illustrates the duality of cherished memories that can both uplift and wound.
Goldsmith Avatar
September 10, 2024 at 10:17 AM
I enjoyed reading your write. Both photos/memories can make us happy or sad. "Good Luck" Have a fun day writing away...............
Narain Avatar
September 10, 2024 at 10:17 AM
A moving memory from the fading photograph. A picture of lost loved ones, makes a faded photograph even more precious. So well written.
Cunningham Avatar
September 9, 2024 at 11:25 PM
A photograph can resurrect happy and both sad memories of loved ones we've lost, it helps to keep them in our hearts. Good luck in the contest Valsa. Tom
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