April 8, 2011

Donation (rough draft)




Jo, 1964. Photo copyright PAH.


Donation


……………………………………. In large flat boxes were two hundred pants
……………………………………. two hundred and twenty one shirts, skirts, and
……………………………………. fifteen bras, twenty tired underpants,
……………………………………. and endless bags of worn and dusty shoes.

……………………………………. You did not wear all these, the tags still hung,
……………………………………. still dangled from the many seams while dog hair
……………………………………. cat hair, human hair, dust and tired mold,
……………………………………. impacted the good thoughts behind this gift.

……………………………………. You wore so many hats, so many scarves
……………………………………. to wrap around your balding head, so many
……………………………………. different sizes of nightshirts, slippers, and
……………………………………. robes tell us you shrank as cancer vanquished

……………………………………. dreams, while chemo lost its fight against the
……………………………………. errant cells. We didn’t know you but yet we did.

18 comments:

  1. Beautifully written. We survivors need to see this kind of tribute once in a while.

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  2. Maggie this is incredibly touching and eloquent tribute. Beautifully done.

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  3. Completely and totally amazing.

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  4. Hear hear! I second all the above comments! A lovely picture to accompany it,too!

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  5. Beautiful. Tragic. Touching. How special is life.

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  6. A wonderful poem that says so much.

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  7. She had pretty hands and a velvet box of rings from old lovers. Pricing the Priceless.

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  8. Yes, I have been there, somewhat, although the largest part of the burden fell on my brothers and sisters who lived closer.

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  9. What amazing things we can understand - deciphering the unseen from the seen. Beautifully done.

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  10. WOW that one blew me away--and the photo is so touching too. Thanks for the emotional charge!

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  11. Beautiful, Maggie! And I love that photo!!

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  12. 'as cancer vanquished

    ……………………………………. dreams, while chemo lost its fight against the
    ……………………………………. errant cells.'

    Such chilling words. Such a beautiful photograph.

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  13. So beautiful!! About dreams and plans...many gone astray!! Love this nod to your journey!
    Congrats on your POTW
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  14. Fabulous words.. and OH MY... the photo is wonderful!

    Congratulations on your POTW!

    Di

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  15. A very nice thought provoked from losing a friend.

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  16. A beautiful poem, truly... from one who has packed the boxes, who has been spared packing the boxes, and who hopes never to pack such a box again.

    Congratulations on your potw.

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  17. I never packed the boxes, but I've seen the cancer vanquish...powerful stuff.

    Congratulations on your potw.

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