Jan Allison Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Souvenirs of Love

Souvenirs of Love  …
I keep them all in a locked mahogany casket
It gets harder to open with my arthritic fingers
Yet every day I turn the key and peer inside

When I lift the lid I recall such precious memories
I caress the string of pearls you gave me in Paris
The diamond necklace sparkles like my blue eyes once did
Your mother’s wedding band is nestled in its red velvet box
You had it re-sized to fit me and had mizpah engraved on the inside
A lonely tear trickles down my wrinkled cheek as I slip it on my finger
You promised that when you came back from the war
I would wear it on our wedding day…
That day never arrived



01/29/18

The meaning of Mizpah is “The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another”.

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Sara Kendrick March 29, 2021 at 2:26 PM Very expressive and emotive work. Don't know if based on life if so that must have been a really difficult time for you and the memories still linger and are refreshed through the box. Congrats on this winner in Brian's contest. Way to go. Sara

Sam Kauffman March 19, 2021 at 11:48 AM Exquisite Jan. A love unfulfilled because of circumstances beyond the lovers control - so sad, melancholy like a sentence ending in a preposition. Well done. Made my heart hurt. Congratulations on your win! Hugs.

Darlene De Beaulieu February 28, 2018 at 6:09 PM Hello Jan, this isa sad poem of a love that was so strong,and sorrow that followed. A love that would never be. I had tears in my eyes reading. Have a nice evening my friend.

Paulette Calasibetta February 28, 2018 at 12:08 PM Hi Jan, "Souvenirs of Love", a heartfelt memory that speaks of a beautiful yet tragic relationship. Reading each line was like watching a movie, a love story of two lives so much in love ended by tragedy. Well done!

Paul Schneiter February 19, 2018 at 10:40 PM This poem is deeply affecting, Jan. Humankind can make plans and promises and pledges, but mortality is often--and singularly--unimpressed, their merits notwithstanding. We both learned that a long time ago, but your exquisite poem affirms it anew. Hugs, always, Paul.

Susan Ashley February 17, 2018 at 8:55 PM Oh how superbly beautiful Jan from sentimental start to heartstrings clutching finish. You've elevated sad romantic reverie to a higher level beyond heaven. Exquisite poetry! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

James Tate February 17, 2018 at 5:12 PM Jan, your Souvineers of Love poem is absolutely outstanding, right down to the dynamic closing. James

Old Buck February 17, 2018 at 3:31 PM Jan: As always, Well Done. I appreciate you folks that say so much with so few words. Congrats on the win. Keep them coming. And thanks again for sharing with all of us on the soup. oldbuck Jan Allison February 22, 2018 at 9:01 AM Thanks so much old buck:-) hugs Jan xx

Gregory Richard Barden February 15, 2018 at 11:04 PM All the best and big congrats on your wonderful win in Joseph's contest, Jan - blessings as always, my friend! :-) Jan Allison February 22, 2018 at 9:00 AM Thanks greg:-) hugs Jan xx

John Hamilton February 14, 2018 at 10:16 AM Wonderful write Jan, enjoyed this thoroughly!! Romantic and sentimental writes from you are amazing, you should try my new contest! Congrats on another winning poem! Jan Allison February 14, 2018 at 10:25 AM oh thank you for the vote of confidence John!!! I do find writing romantic poems difficult but I will try for you:-) hugs jan xx

Line Gauthier February 12, 2018 at 3:34 PM Ouch! That was quite the spin. I should have known when you used the words 'casket' in the first line. What a moving poem. Definitely making it a FAVE. Congrats on your win, Jan. Jan Allison February 12, 2018 at 4:03 PM Thanks so much Line:-) hugs Jan xx

Viv Wigley February 8, 2018 at 3:11 AM Lovely, Jan, very poignant. Congrats! Viv x Jan Allison February 8, 2018 at 5:23 PM Thanks Mr Viv I am very behind with commenting at the moment been so busy last few days:-) hugs jan xx

Heidi Sands February 7, 2018 at 9:15 AM Congratulations for your win with this very touching poem :) Jan Allison February 7, 2018 at 9:34 AM Thanks Heidi:-) hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong February 7, 2018 at 3:40 AM Congratulations on your placement Jan! You already know I loved this poem enough to Fave it. Applause!! xxoo Jan Allison February 7, 2018 at 9:34 AM Thanks so much Connie your previous comment meant the world to me!:-) hugs jan xx

Lin Lane February 6, 2018 at 9:41 AM I'm so sorry I missed this one when you first posted it, Jan. You expressed sadness in such a beautifully sentimental fashion, Jan... it's so very touching. I would've placed it higher, but.... It's faved. Jan Allison February 6, 2018 at 10:26 AM Aww thanks so much Lin I was so thrilled by Connie's comment - I am glad i placed in the contest and the poem will get more widely read:-) hugs jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong February 3, 2018 at 4:53 PM OMG Jan, this poem chocked me up! Tears welling in my eyes and a knot in my throat after reading what Mizpah means. You should write more of these romantic poems Jan. You have the ability to move into the ranks of being a Famous Poet! I dearly loved this beautiful sad poem that tugged at my heartstrings. This is going into my Faves my friend. Now where is my Kleenex! Love, Connie xxoo ; ) Jan Allison February 3, 2018 at 4:56 PM aww Connie you are far too kind to me about my poetic ability I struggle with romance I much prefer humour. I learned about 'mizpah' from an old lady I used to look after when I was younger and thought it fitted in so well with the sentiment of the poem:-) hugs jan x

Mick Talbot January 31, 2018 at 4:18 AM That is sad, wishing it success in the contest, hugs... Mick Jan Allison January 31, 2018 at 6:01 AM Thanks Mick I never know where my muse will take me happy or sad i just go with the flow at least she is behaving a little better at the moment!:-) hugs jan xx

Kim Rodrigues January 30, 2018 at 8:52 AM Bittersweet! Lovely in so many ways! Faving, my friend! My husband gave me pearls from his China visit...always to cherish. Thanks for this one...a treasure of a poem! Hope to see you at the TOP! <3 Kim Jan Allison January 30, 2018 at 10:18 AM Thanks so much for the lovely comment and fave. I too have pearls our friends brought me back from China - they are exquisite and so lovely to wear:-) hugs jan xx

Cheryl Hoffman January 29, 2018 at 9:54 PM A wonderful heartfelt write for the contest Jan; great imagery in this souvenirs of love poem! Good luck in the contest!~Che :) Jan Allison January 30, 2018 at 2:19 AM Thanks so much Che:-) hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux January 29, 2018 at 6:21 PM I too am a Love tourist. It is great to keep special memories. Jan Allison January 30, 2018 at 2:19 AM Thanks Richard and I like that term love tourist:-) hugs Jan xx

Emile Pinet January 29, 2018 at 11:36 AM You have managed to capture human reactions and emotions and weave them into a poem that is easy to relate to and understand. The message is clear and truly poetically expressed. The wit, heart and imagination of the author has been transposed onto the page and it makes for a good sentimental read. Bravo my friend! Emile. Jan Allison January 29, 2018 at 12:49 PM Thank you so much for your insightful comment Emile:-) hugs jan xx

Mike Gentile January 29, 2018 at 9:05 AM This is just so beautiful and sentimental Jan. I loved it xxoo Jan Allison January 29, 2018 at 12:46 PM Thanks Mike I hope Joseph likes it too:-) hugs Jan xx

John Lawless January 29, 2018 at 8:49 AM Jan, that opening line....."I keep them all in a locked mahogany casket"..would have been sufficient to fuel the hearts of the reader's memories.... Jan Allison January 29, 2018 at 12:45 PM Thanks so much for the lovely comment John:-) hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham January 29, 2018 at 7:28 AM A beautiful verse Jan, it must have been the scene for many during wartime. Regards Tom Jan Allison January 29, 2018 at 12:41 PM I'm sure you are right Tom and I can picture this lady staring out of the window in the hope one day he will return:-( hugs jan xx

Cynthia Buhain-Baello January 29, 2018 at 6:31 AM A beautiful, nostalgic, and heart-warming poem of a cherished love of long ago. I love the meaning of "mizpah" stated in the last line. Jan Allison January 29, 2018 at 12:40 PM Thanks so much Cynthia. I learned about Mizpah from an old lady i used to look after many years ago:-) I thought the sentiment of that line fitted in so well with the poem:-) hugs jan xx