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July 28, 2023

Teach Me a Lesson Poetry Contest | Sponsored by Dilly Dally
 

Volleyball In the Rafters

Volleyball In the Rafters

Above the public pool
a volleyball so cool
stuck for years
in the rafters
Someone’s
breath of life
trapped in
it’s bladder
Evidence of
their lingering
presence, me
wondering
if they ever
pondered the 
relevance of
the essence they
left behind?
Singsong thoughts
turn inward …
What about me?
In all the places
I’ve been,
pieces of me,
residual traces
of myself 
left behind,
cast away!
Small links, unforgotten,
faithfully preserved
by old friends—
threads of connection
reinforced by timeless bonds—
who keep my words,
moves (dancing!), and
shared memories as
precious cargo,
cherished keepsakes,
A clear reminder that
I exist!  I matter!
I’m something much more
than simply air I breathe 
on an unremembered day …
Like that beautiful volleyball
in the rafters

W I L S O N ! ! !

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Kim Rodrigues Date: 7/28/2023 6:50:00 PM Love this and “Wilson!!!” which must relate to the movie “Cast Away.” I just found out my mother in law cried that she wasn’t at our wedding. She’s been gone for awhile. I had no idea. My husband told his adopted mom and stepdad after we were married. So many years ago…leaving dust prints… Login to Reply Mark Toney Date: 7/28/2023 9:55:00 PM Hi, Kim. I appreciate the encouragement and am pleased you recognized the “Cast Away” reference. We’ve been married 50 years this month and we too are learning things about deceased family members that we wish we would have known while they were still alive. As you indicated, “So many years ago…leaving dust prints…”. ~Kind regards.