Home » Poems » Jennifer Proxenos » My Dearest Jennifer

Jennifer Proxenos | + Follow Poet |

My Dearest Jennifer

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Jennifer Proxenos.

My grandfather and I had a close bond and he

was the one that encouraged me to write poetry.

He was Greek, spoke perfect English and studied to be

an optometrist in London. This is a typed replica of his written

poem to me. I have sadly lost

all my other poems and letters that we exchanged. I only have this

one left (which I cherish) and another one in English and one in French.

I have titled this poem, My dearest Jennifer.

MY DEAREST JENNIFER My dearest Jennifer, In your letter, You said my poem was really terrific, I say, your verses are beyond critic, Our thoughts must meet somewhere, Perhaps high in the air, Or down in the deepest seas, Or just in the spirit that gave us the keys, To inherit poetry as a means of expression, Of our every wise thought, passions, impressions. With love and fond wishes Your loving grandfather, Panos. Athens June 25th 1971 I am looking forward to your prompt reply.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Line Gauthier

Date: 10/10/2019 4:17:00 PM

What a lovely relationship you must have had with your grand-father, Jennifer.

Okonkwo Ifeanyichukwu

Date: 4/24/2019 9:16:00 AM

What a treasured poem from a heartily father to a child of his passion, Jennifer your born had made me to remember my grand parents. Well penned, poetry hugs.....

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 4/25/2019 12:36:00 AM

Hi Okonkwo, how lovely to see reading one of my older poems and am honoured by your visit. My grandparents lived in Greece and My grandfather was the one who urged and encouraged me to write poetry. I owe him what i pen down in poetry today! Poetry hugs, Jennifer.

Caycay Jennings

Date: 3/17/2019 1:11:00 AM

Oh, my breath is caught in my heart as I sit inside the emotion of grandparent love as a unique love-touch time stolen and aged. This is beyond tenderly sweet, it nips my heart with empathy, sympathy, compassion, longing and else that describes a love line between child and grandparent as thread by kinship in spirit and love shared in a forever handhold of one aged, tenderly twinned in one young. How beautifully sad to have this letter, Jenny! Love ... CayCay

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 3/17/2019 3:51:00 AM

Hi CayCay - thank you for such a warm, kind and loving comment. From the age of 6 we kept in touch my mom or dad helping me and writing down what i told them to say but from 8 years old until my grandfather died at the age of 74 we wrote once a week to each other - I loved him like a 3rd parent as my son Ricky loved my dad as a father (I lived with my parents until 2000) when I married Elias, so until then was a single parent and divorced. Love and hugs, Jennifer.

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 11/25/2018 11:39:00 AM

What a treasured memory you have. I had a dear and gentle grandfather who didn't write poetry, but he raised pansies. This writing brought him to mind and his kind life.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/25/2018 12:42:00 PM

Hi Sunlite, Nice to meet you. I sent you a comment I think last week. You say I have a treasured memory (my gentle grandfather) yes I do, but it seems that so have you! You remember your grandfather with such fond memories and love and I am so happy if I revived all this. Best wishes Sunlight, Jennifer.

Warren Doll

Date: 11/9/2018 9:56:00 AM

What a beautiful memory from/of your grandfather. A treasure worth more than gold. I enjoyed it very much. All the best, Warren

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/9/2018 10:11:00 AM

Thank you Warren, nice to meet you! From as far back as I can remember, my grandfather and I exchanged letters and poems. I was 18 when he died (some time ago!) and sadly his correspondence to me and all his poems, are either misplaced or lost. Yes this one is a treasure! I found one more in English and one in French. Thank you for your visit, i will certainly be looking out for your poems. Kindest regards, Jennifer

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 10/31/2018 9:04:00 AM

Wow! What a beauty! Like grandfather like granddaughter! You have the seeds of poetry into your genes dear Jennifer! A touching poem! A great joy while reading.. blessed you are to have such a beautiful soul in your heart! Remain in the light of Beauty. love and hugs.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/31/2018 2:00:00 PM

Hi Besma, Thank you and thank you again! Your are blessed with words Besma, you really are. My grandfather used to tease us that he came from a lineage of Greek philosophers! His Father also wrote poetry but in Greek. Richest blessings, Jennifer.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 10/31/2018 8:19:00 AM

A treasure of a poem increasing in value by each day it passes by, dearest Jennifer! So you are at least half Greek! Superb!

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/31/2018 2:09:00 PM

Hi Demetrios, Yes half Greek! But Greek orthodox and fluent in Greek. Thank-you so much for your comment, my grandfather's poem is a treasure and will be handed down to my son, and hopefully he then will pass it on to his children. Best wishes and yasou! Jennifer.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 10/31/2018 4:37:00 AM

A lovely affectionate piece from your dear grandfather Jennifer, it must hold special affection to you.Thanks for sharing it, every blessing, Gordon

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/31/2018 6:31:00 AM

Thank-you Gordon, We had a very special bond. He was a true poet as well, true to himself and to everyone else! Thank-you for sharing your poetry, I enjoy every one! Best regards and blessings, Jennifer

James Marshall Goff

Date: 10/29/2018 2:37:00 PM

Jennifer, a wonderful tribute to an elegant Grandfather!

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/30/2018 2:22:00 AM

Thank-you James he was special grandfather and so happy that I found one of his poems amongst my old poems! Best regards, Jennifer.

Date: 10/29/2018 5:09:00 AM

Thanks for sharing something so precious. Now I can see where you inherited your way with words. Just reading what he wrote he must have been a very dynamic man. Kim

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/29/2018 10:44:00 AM

He was a good human being and meant a lot to me Kim. His second language was English, yet all his poems were in English or French, not Greek. thank-you for your comment, xoxo, Jennifer.

Arturo Michael

Date: 10/29/2018 12:27:00 AM

Those replies took weeks in those days...Your Grand would have loved the quick response these days...Thanks for sharing...Lovely JP

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/29/2018 12:49:00 AM

You are so right Arturo. I never thought of that - sharp observation and comment! Thank-you. Maybe as my guardian, angel, he is my inspiration and pointing my pen in the right direction! Kindest regards,

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/28/2018 6:27:00 AM

What a lovely reminder you have Jennifer, its always sad to lose family but they live on in your heart. Tom.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/28/2018 11:53:00 AM

Hi Tom, Unfortunately my grandfather lived in Greece and we in South Africa, we were not with him when he died . He was a wonderful man. Best regards, Jennifer.

Mahtab Bangalee

Date: 10/28/2018 4:10:00 AM

nice encouragement and nice remembrance by writing /// great

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/28/2018 11:44:00 AM

Hi Mahtab, Yes I remember him very often - he was a very wise old man! Thank-you for your comment, Kind regards, Jennifer.

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 10/27/2018 7:01:00 PM

G'day Jennifer ... a legacy kept from a man you highly admired and respected - thank you for sharing his letter to you - Lindsay

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/28/2018 11:42:00 AM

Hi Lindsay, It is surely a legacy. Thank-you for your comment. Every time I write to you I remember your poems about the crows really lol! I felt I needed to share this poem with poetrysoup members. All the best, Jennifer

Paul Callus

Date: 10/27/2018 5:16:00 PM

I suppose that explains the surname, Jennifer:) I can tell from his words that he loved both poetry and you. You have been left with an awesome inheritance! Warm regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/28/2018 11:36:00 AM

Hi Paul, He was a good man and yes I agree I do have a wonderful inheritance. I could do no wrong in his eyes. He was a gentle greek god! Thank-you for your comment - always enjoy them. Warm regards, Jennifer

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 10/27/2018 4:11:00 PM

Ahhhhh This is so heartfelt and wonderful. Thank you for sharing; and it is telling that you have retained this missive for almost fifty years, Jennifer. I have a postcard with 11 words from my father which is sitting on the wall in a frame above my head as I type. I received it in 1962, and I do believe it is the only time he ever sent me anything in writing.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/28/2018 11:15:00 AM

Hi Caren, It is lovely to have something tangible (pen on paper) for so many years, but just as lovely to remember his words he wrote in his poem to me. Good that you have a constant reminder of your father right where you are sitting and telling me about him. Thank-you for your comment Caren, you seem like a very kind, caring and deep thinking poetess. xoxo, Jennifer.

Robert Lindley

Date: 10/27/2018 2:41:00 PM

Love it! You are an were truly blessed to have such a wonderful and wise grandfather my friend. Thanks for giving a glimpse of a caring and wonderful soul. A fav.. so reminds me of my own grandfather who always said, wisdom should be passed down not hoarded unto the grave.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/28/2018 11:07:00 AM

Hi Robert, Thank you for your kind words. I can tell you had a close bond with your grandfather also. It is comforting to think that they are our guardian angels! They were wise, and I'm happy I brought your grandfather to mind through posting my poem, although, I am certain you think of him a great deal! Best regards Robert, Jennifer

Rico Leffanta

Date: 10/27/2018 12:21:00 PM

"Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven"? So it seems thoughts ARE things! Aloha! Rico

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 10/27/2018 12:57:00 PM

Hi Rico, Clever comment! Don't forget this is a grandfather writing in 1971, things and thoughts might have then been confused! Yasou, Jennifer.