Is a home a thing remembered?
Curious -
what can be reconjured
for instance -
I see layer and layer over there
of every birthday, every Christmas, and on that stair
I know the third one by its creakiness.
I recall where each gold-framed picture hung
the warmth of the fireplace
and the tiny foyer in the winter sun
I call these details I knew so well up one by one
in my dreams and in my waking.
Curious -
what cannot be reconjured
for instance -
the old dining room closet where my mother's wedding dress hung
and Christmas presents were hidden well had
too many layers of white paint, a full-length mirror, and a certain smell.
I stand in the narrow, whitewashed doorway
trying to commit musty cedar to memory -
it doesn't stay.
No matter the detail of my memories,
the number, the sweetness, the truth -
I will never know the old dining room closet by its smell again
so is remembrance a thing enough?
About the Creator
Ava Mack
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Before Sylvester the Cat, there was Sylvester the Dog
Sylvester was a Merrie Melodies canine Sylvester, the Cat, is a beloved Looney Tunes character who debuted in March 1947 in the animated short Life with Feathers. The iconic Mel Blanc once said that he enjoyed voicing Sylvester, one of his favorite characters. The cartoon short that was near and dear to Blanc's heart was Bird's Anonymous which starred the popular cat.
By Cheryl E Preston4 days ago in Geeks
Comments (12)
This was incredibly nostalgic and heart touching. Well done
So close & yet never quite, always mixing nostalgia with sadness & loss.
This is beautiful, Ava. It is incredible how memories sometimes flood back, prompted by something as simple as a smell. You describe so perfectly how that lingering nostalgic connection to memories past leaves us craving to return. Well done!
Nicely written 💜💯😉
As I read, I considered myself in the future, returning to my childhood home, and considering the same kind of memories and smells. Your words brought to mind how quickly these things fade from consciousness yet can be reconjured when we return to the source . But what if we can’t return? What if home is no longer there? How to reclaim those memories then? I feel full of melancholy, but also, I think that’s what happens when we grow up and away from our old home. A part of us stays there and we miss it when we return or realize we can’t go back. Gorgeous work. As always, I'm left in awe of your writing. ❤️👏
This has a hauntingly beautiful air about it, Ava! Masterfully written!
Oh I feel the ache in this one ❤️❤️
Wonderful piece. Well done and we'll said.
This is a wonderful piece of writing. Everything about it is just so well done.
That “tiny foyer in the winter sun” gave me chills! Beautiful, descriptive work. 🙂
This is beautiful and thoughtprovoking. I love the way you take us through your thoughts and then we think about them ourselves. Wonderful writing, Ava!
Eventually inside is all we have. Lovely poem - Anneliese