Teach Me a Lesson

There's an old red beach ball stuck in the rafters of the haunted hotel pool. It's been there for the 7 long years, I've been coming here since I was a child with my parents. They say, the old red beach ball contains air from the lungs of an unknown person. How could that be? Maybe an essence that rests here that they left while swimming. Drowning was likely never considered a factor. I wonder about all the places I've left pieces of me laying around. Caught sight of me but yet unknown. Could I have been known but not seen? In a dream I recalled gently where my presence never left a place. I never returned back to the dream to learn how it ended. So sad. Sometimes I encounter life with a long lost friend who has a memory of me or an item I made. A memory or item of a happier time in my life. That brings me much joy and can even put a smile on my heart. Saying kind words or dancing a fun dance lifts my spirit. I embodied that they somehow kept me alive in their spirit. There are some people I'd like to ask, why me? Who was I? This child in that moment of my young life. When we pass through time, I hope those tiny fragments are more than the air I breathed on an unremembered day. They are the reasons people smile and hold an item in their hands to conjure back, like I do on many an occasion. Small links of the unforgotten to some, maybe treasures to others. That piece of little me together as someone who really existed in this big wide world.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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Kingston Avatar
August 8, 2023 at 12:06 PM
I can see the ball in my head as I read. How interesting, you are so right. I loved your metaphors. I used to live on the beach. Now I think, have I ever missed a 'ball' ? I will ponder now. One man's junk is another man's treasure, but where does it reside? I am VERY glad to have found your poem Paula.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 9, 2023 at 10:22 AM
Thanks for reading/writing. Glad you found and like this write. It is just a write and Not about me. Great/good memories are the best kind to have. I love the beach but No beach here. So Sad. Have a blessed day writing away....................
Deschler Avatar
August 7, 2023 at 3:40 PM
The little things we do in life really are the most important ... This beautiful poem leaves the reader with much to think about ... Very well written and expressed, Paula :)
Goldsmith Avatar
August 9, 2023 at 10:18 AM
Thanks for reading/writing. Glad you enjoyed my write and found it to be beautiful/very well written/expressed. Thanks for your kind words. It made my day. Have a blessed day writing away....................
Rolland Avatar
August 4, 2023 at 7:04 PM
so touching about your past, and the questionning it suggests, wonderful "prose" thanks for sharing
Goldsmith Avatar
August 5, 2023 at 7:52 AM
Thanks for reading/writing. Glad you like this write. It is just a write and Not about me. Have a blessed day writing away....................
Poet Avatar
August 4, 2023 at 3:51 PM
Your prose moved with a graceful fluidity, captivating me entirely, Paula. While many tend to digress into convoluted musings, your piece resonated clearly with me. I wish you the best of luck in the contest.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 5, 2023 at 7:51 AM
Thanks for reading/writing, for your best of luck and for your kind words. Glad you like this write. Have a blessed day writing away....................
Anaya Avatar
August 4, 2023 at 11:06 AM
It flowed nicely; I was mesmerized Paula. Some go off in tangents (head trips) yours I understood! lol. B0L in the contest. Have a nice day! xhugs
Goldsmith Avatar
August 4, 2023 at 12:48 PM
Thanks for reading/writing, for your BOL and for your kind words. As a rule I do not write long. Glad you enjoyed this one. Have a blessed day writing away....................
Goldsmith Avatar
August 4, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Teach Me a Lesson ~ Date Written 8/4/2023
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