L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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The Red-Ribboned Box Revisited

You wrote from your impassioned heart, dear Mama, 
An ode, or a sonnet, penned without undue drama. 
I sang your lyrics time and again, calling your name 
They were your legacy; they never sounded the same 
As when you gathered us toddlers into your arms, 
And sang to us your sweet verses and psalms. 

You wrote from your innermost being, dear Mama 
Losing you brought all of us children great trauma. 
We searched for comfort among your beautiful things 
Your hair ribbons, your pictures, your wedding rings, 
But nothing consoled us found among your frocks 
Like the pages you saved in your red-ribboned box. 

Time has faded the memories we shared long ago 
Places we went before life dealt us that fateful blow 
Leaving Dad and us children to forage on our own. 
But Dad kept us together until we were fully grown 
Sometimes we get together as opportunity knocks, 
And, always read poems from Mom’s red-ribboned box.

FIRST PLACE WINNER
Written March 8, 2021
Revised and Edited for "I Remember" Contest
Sponsored by Malabika Ray Choudhury

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

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Kim Merryman Date: 3/30/2021 10:17:00 AM Now that I've read the whole poem, its even better! What a nice thought that maybe one day my grandkids will take the time to read my poems and remember me. Blessings, Kim M Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/30/2021 11:20:00 AM I believe they will, Kim. Perhaps you could make a pretty box to put your treasures in. I'm sure your children and grandchildren would treasure it and read from it on special occasions. You may be gone, but what you've left behind will never be forgotten!

Constance La France Date: 3/20/2021 12:54:00 PM Milt, this is so beautifully and emotionally penned, congratulations on your win, my grandma kept a small journal where she would write our name and the gift we gave her and a comment, for a birthday, Christmas etc and when she died it was that book that became our treasure, so I understand _Constance Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/20/2021 12:56:00 PM Thanks so much for your read, Constance. It is those small treasures that mean so much after they are gone...if they are ever gone, and I doubt that they are! Grandmas are so special!

Malabika Ray Choudhury Date: 3/17/2021 4:04:00 PM Congratulations on your win, Milton. Such a heartfelt Poem ~ Mala Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/17/2021 4:14:00 PM Thanks so much, Mala. I appreciate the placement in your contest.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 3/11/2021 11:10:00 PM PS I really did enjoy it! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/12/2021 10:04:00 AM Thanks. I enjoyed writing it, even if it did bring a tear.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 3/9/2021 9:26:00 AM How sad; so terrible to lose your mother as an adult; I cannot imagine it as a child. This is incredibly sad. I am glad you have Mama' box! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/9/2021 9:55:00 AM Caren, thanks so much for reading my poem. Though it is sad, I hope you enjoyed it.

Judy Ball Date: 3/9/2021 9:13:00 AM Oh this is such a heart warming and deeply moving piece. Loved every word. This is lovely and also sad. It's hard to lose someone you love but at such a young age it's worse. God Bless my friend. JB Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/9/2021 9:14:00 AM Thank you so much, Judy. Yes, I was was 15 when I lost my mother, and my brother was 10. I have so many fond memories, but my brother has very few. It is sad.

Janice Canerdy Date: 3/9/2021 9:08:00 AM I appreciate poems that make me smile while tearing up--like this one. What a beautiful poem! Janice Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/9/2021 9:15:00 AM Janice, your sweet note is so much appreciated. Thanks a lot.