Missing Nana

I'm in the decade before the decade
she left the world, and my world....

The world did not mark it,
the world did not miss her 
(any more than it will miss me)
but my world does--my world of
sun-gold and ocean-blue, my own
little world reading books while 
sitting like a happy little king on
the porch of my grandparents' old
house on the bay at Ocean City....

I read in gentle sunshine, I read 
while breathing pure ocean air
and sometimes smelling a cake
baking in Nana's kitchen and
knowing I was safe, sure, alive....

I'm in the decade before the decade
my Nana left the world, and as I near
the time when--God willing-- I'll be 
with her again as the 40 odd years since 
she left my world compress: smaller and
smaller time itself becomes, and freer
and freer is my once lost soul....
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Kauffman Avatar
September 1, 2022 at 10:23 AM
So beautiful LJ! Your image of the baking cake sent me straight into the memories of my grandmother's pies! I'll bet it was chocolate! Her cake is truly a metaphor for so many things in life like your feeling of safety, security, love, family, summer and the tender love of a grandmother! Wonderfully done! Perhaps I'll bake a chocolate cake today. Blessings my friend.
Carber Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 5:29 AM
Actually Sam, Nana's pies were always made with fruit, but her cakes were chocolate!
Alex Avatar
August 20, 2022 at 6:18 AM
Nana, the hero. Beautiful writing. Congratulations!
Carber Avatar
September 8, 2022 at 5:29 AM
Thanks, C.A. Sorry about the slwo response--was away.
Gangabissoon Avatar
March 20, 2022 at 9:45 AM
Congratulations for the placement and thanks for the entry :)
Carber Avatar
March 21, 2022 at 10:43 AM
Thank you!
Calasibetta Avatar
January 13, 2022 at 1:55 PM
L.J. Congratulations on your win. A lovely tribute to your Nana and to all our grandparents who nurtured us through our childhoods~we miss them even now as growing older adults. Truly a heartfelt poem. :)Paulette
Carber Avatar
January 14, 2022 at 8:48 AM
Thank you Paulette!
Kauffman Avatar
January 13, 2022 at 11:21 AM
LJ your fresh and creative wording brought my experiences with my Grandmother back with the wonderful vehemence of a slamming door! In the summer, at my grandparents summer home, she and I would pick blackberries from a tangled briar patch and she would bake a blackberry pie. This is beyond delightful. High fives and kudos!!! Sending you joy for each day of the new year! Blessings!
Carber Avatar
January 14, 2022 at 8:48 AM
Thanks Sam-- and have blessed 2022!!!
Alex Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 1:02 AM
Great memories. Congratulations!
Carber Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 10:46 AM
Thank you!
Mishra Avatar
July 7, 2020 at 10:38 AM
Those memories would always make you feel close to her in this world. Congratulations on your win L. J.! Blessings :)
Carber Avatar
July 7, 2020 at 12:40 PM
Yes, I do, and I hope and pray to be close to her and all those I love in the next world...thank you Aditi for your always kind and thoughtful comments!
Mcintosh Avatar
July 5, 2020 at 3:35 PM
Lovely words. God bless you and I appreciate your entering.
Carber Avatar
July 6, 2020 at 12:28 PM
Thank you for the kind words, Regina
La France Avatar
February 22, 2020 at 10:53 AM
LJ, great entry and congratulations _Constance
Carber Avatar
February 22, 2020 at 4:24 PM
Thank you, Constance, for the great honor!
Kauffman Avatar
February 19, 2020 at 10:00 PM
Hi LJ! Congratulations on your win! So many things in life remind me of my grandmother and her influnces in my life. Your faith is so evident and so beautiful!
Carber Avatar
February 20, 2020 at 8:53 AM
Thanks again Sam-- lucky we are to have had such loving 'abuelas'-- Spanish for grandmother and one of the most beautiful sounding words I know.
Gauthier Avatar
December 25, 2019 at 1:25 PM
I know EXACTLY how you feel, LJ. You wrote this for me. Merry Christmas! Best wishes to you and your loved ones for 2020.
Carber Avatar
December 26, 2019 at 9:49 AM
I'm happy I did! The finest love is always a gift, freely given, no strings-- like God's-- I deeply hope-- and may you and yours have a blessed 2020, Line-- and thanks for your poet's friendship.
Harper Avatar
November 16, 2019 at 8:44 PM
Congratulations L. J. on your honorable mention win in the "I sense tomorrow is the future" contest. I appreciated the realization that the loss you feel now for Nana will be coming your way, strong work, thanks for joining.
Carber Avatar
November 20, 2019 at 8:13 AM
Thank you, I very much appreciate it.
Canerdy Avatar
October 25, 2019 at 6:21 PM
What a beautiful, touching poem, L.J.! Janice
Carber Avatar
October 26, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Thank you Janice-- I'm glad it meant something to you.
Dietrich Avatar
October 22, 2019 at 6:09 PM
I really really like this!! I can see why you would consider it your best.
Carber Avatar
October 23, 2019 at 8:12 AM
Thank you, Andrea
Gauthier Avatar
October 6, 2019 at 9:19 AM
Lovely poem, LJ.
Carber Avatar
October 7, 2019 at 1:31 PM
Thank you, my friend, I'm glad you liked it
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