Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Oh August




IMG_2297.jpeg internet photo


Oh  August

 

Oh August – most regal month 

So aptly named -awaited eagerly 

as a child who yearned for  

sticky summers to crisp, for cool

breezes to blow on my legs as 

summer flowers still stood and

school! -  those halcyon halls of 

joy, elixirs of chalk and quiet,

new squeaky shoes and ah

blackboards wiped clean with 

white wet cloths … beckoned 

beckoned soon… soon… soon

Oh August …month when so many

years beyond childhood -  

my father chose, on  white pillows

piled high to step from this mortal

coil to another …

and yet, oh August, oh August he only

deepened the mystery, the joy of all 

that awaited, unknown

mystic and magic… floating just 

beyond…

August. 

12 comments:

  1. bitter sweet memories of August. A lovely personal poem.....Rall

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  2. What wonderful musings about August. I remember buying school suplies for my kids and how I missed that once they were out of school. So poignant, the image of your father on his pillows, making his transition, deepening the mystery. A wonderful poem.

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  3. I love the way this poem flows, Pearl. The recollections from childhood, and then to your father making his transition. Such a lot happening in August.

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  4. From child freedom to school days to the passing of a loved one, you bring out the strange and deep spirit of the month, full of association. I've always thought of September as "back to school"--as my next prompt will attest. I love your August.

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  5. So many things that make up the month - sad and painful and innocent and joyous...

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  6. I love this personal touch in your August poem Pearl; a blend of joy and grief. Your address to August as "most regal month" makes it very special. A beautiful poem.

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  7. What a potent mix of memory and emotion - I liked going back to school too and also touched by the memory of your father (thank you for your kind comment at mine) - Jae

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  8. I am not a fan of August, and was the child who longed for the return to the familiarity of school and the wonders of Autumn. I love how you captured the disappointment of an eagerly awaited month. I think we are sold the idea hot summer days are wonderful, when they are just painful and tiring.

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  9. This is a heart written poem of great longing and emotion. I really touched me.

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  10. Pearl, this is perfect. It made me remember vividly those first days of school each year.

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  11. This is beautiful Pearl and your closing lines of your father's passing are poignant and moving.

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  12. Pearl, thanks for your lovely comment on my poem.......I will never stop missing that magical creature!

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