Sounds of Memorabilia

My father and I stood outside the old farmhouse in which I was raised and he still lived. 
The black sheep had moved back in temporarily until I found a "handyman special "house to 
work on and live in. It was about nine thirty pm. and really quite peaceful standing out there 
with him. That felt good because if there ever was anything between him and I , it surely 
wasn't peace.
     It was quite dark as only the hairline of the moon's robust face could be seen bobbing in 
and out of a sea sparkling with star milk; which is what my siblings and I called it from our 
perch on that mountain in Vermont. That blonde hairline was occasionally being hidden by 
clipper ship clouds seeming to be sailing back in search of the harbor from whence the moon 
had shoved off.
     I could hear the chorus of crickets fading into background noise as the frogs filled the air 
with the rising stacatto of their incessant peeping. 
     My Father's voice broke the spell while he was taking it all in and said," I wonder where 
the peepers all went." What?", I asked. "You know , the frogs ..used to be you could 
hear 'em peeping all over the place at night like this. You just don't hear 'em any more. 
Wonder what happened to 'em." He was quite surprised when I told him they were still alive 
and well and just as noisy as usual. 
    That's the first time we realized the "old man" was losing his hearing. Soon afterwards , 
he got himself a hearing aid and the peepers came back for him. He was glad about that. 
Those little nature things made him very happy. I enjoyed that about him.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Suzadail Jr. Avatar
July 6, 2011 at 4:29 PM
Congrats on this one being featured, Robert. Sometimes just lying back and remembering the little joys can bring a warmth to the soul. Vince
Brown Avatar
July 5, 2011 at 6:46 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week Robert. May your poetry bring inspiration to others as they read it. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
June 3, 2010 at 3:03 AM
Congratulations on your win, Robert. We have missed you here. It's moving narratives like this that really touch my heart. I can see, hear and feel all of it in your words...the sadness of your father losing his hearing (restored thanks to the hearing aid), the "chorus of crickets, the beautiful scenes of the sea from your Vermond mountain "perch." Very nice, indeed! Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
June 2, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Congrats Robert on your big win in Laura's contest with this wonderful write... enjoy another great victory dance for your win ..with luv from the "Sweetheart"
Bono Avatar
November 29, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Loved the story.Thanx for sharing.I am going to try to work on another poem.I can usually only do maybe 2 a year,but I did 3 in a week so either my mind or my pen is flowing freely.
Esquire Avatar
November 24, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Dear Robert, YOU can watch how they became The Great POETS they are I know You will be on this list someday soon and I hope I can say I helped You are a Gifted POET Keep Writing YOUR POETRY FRIEND ALWAYS...HG
Esquire Avatar
November 24, 2009 at 6:52 PM
Dear Robert,I have alot of things to say About this Masterpiece First, I also live in Vermont Your description of a cresent Moon is Superb, AWESOME I LOVE the sound of Peepers and Finally this can be the form of a Narrative for it tells a story You are learning very quickly about this site and the Family of POETS that write here If You look under Community to the "All time top Contributers" to the far right it tells you when they became Members If YOU read their older POEM , then the New CONT.
Brown Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 4:41 PM
By the looks of the brilliant poems I am reading it looks like you all have new ink pens. I wish you all a wonderful week filled with love and inspiration. Happy Thanksgiving to all that celebrate. Love, Carol
Caliri Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
pt2. And the prose structure somehow gives it a refreshing read feel. The fact that the reader, or obvisouly me, anyway, wants so much more, but is also given a great deal in a small space of time, is a really enchanting ingredient in a poem.
Caliri Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 1:04 PM
This an oddly fascinating piece to me. The last line of the first paragraph is so amazingly dark and true and deep, and is never probed more after that. Other than that startling moment, you tend to hypnotize the reader into the pastoral delight of the sky, crickets, and frogs.
Sweetheart Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 8:19 AM
This poem is so simple and sweet .. could feel much emotion from your write and the story of u and your Father... so nice to share today... deeply stirring poetry.. thankxxx Robert for your comments and suggestions on my poetry also.. I have entered many contests since writing from childhood and some have paid off very nicely for submissions.. need to be careful when entering online .. copywright laws and all that .. I love the competition spirit.. u need to enter yours too.. luv "Sweetie"
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 7:31 AM
Hi Robert. I came back to favorite this one and you. I love the imagery and the sentiments. (I love frogs, too. Among EVERYTHING else in nature.)
Kendrick Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 6:28 AM
Great write with much expressiveness and descriptiveness. Old age brings different disappearances to each person as hearing etc. It is good that he got the hearing aid and that he can use it. Some people when they get one can't really enjoy using it because it is too noisy with a roaring sound. I especially liked the second paragraph. Keep the creative pen flowing. Sara
Terrell Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 5:57 AM
Oh what a touching moment was that and described with such loving detail I really liked it..Robert....It brought back a memory of when my uncle that daily chewed tobacco and then got a new hearing aid... He said to us one day "that's the first time I heard himself spit in years.....True the little thing are what makes live so delightful and good lesson for kids to be more alert of thier parents changing due to age.
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
November 23, 2009 at 2:13 AM
This narrative poem is very heart warming. Families are so important to one another. And nature is God's gift to all who have the heart to feel it. I am glad that your dad can hear the "Peepers" once again. Keep writing. Lovingly, Dane
Canady Avatar
November 22, 2009 at 8:24 PM
I Always Visit My Visitors (smile) and I'm so glad I did ... This Poem is a Delight ... Your Use of lyrical-vocabulary is entrancing... Enjoyed It ... If You Are New To The Soup ... Welcome To The Table ... Stir In A Little More of this Meat and Potatoes ... Again, this poem is a Delightful Read ... MoonBee
Devonshire Avatar
November 22, 2009 at 7:31 PM
A wonderful story of children realizing that their parents are aging. You told it beautifully, sprinkling in the mention of "star milk" to add the Vermont local color. Very nice indeed, Robert! Love, Carolyn
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace