To the toys in the attic
an ode of reflection and thanks
I couldn't help but include this song by Michael Buble called Forever Now.
https://youtu.be/VRvYu5oOXF0
~
I see the scratches grooved across your face,
The missing pieces, the dents and dings from loving use–
You were everything once upon a time.
Your pictures circled in the winter catalog,
Your names scrawled on a red and green wreathed list,
Now piled haphazardly in a box, no longer in your prime.
I wonder if you were able to feel it,
Predict the future you would one day have,
Of sitting in an attic, collecting dust and dirt and grime.
Did you know the date when you'd be betrayed, put away for the very last time?
~
For all that you surrendered when the final day came,
I hope you know the joy you brought, the contagious smiles,
The creativity you inspired to brighten young hearts and minds,
Bits of comfort freely given by familiar friends on nights
When thunder boomed and nightmares took hold,
When they were too scared to peek out the window blinds.
Hours and hours of selfless giving and playing,
You offered a world of make believe and wonder,
Simply allowing them to explore and seek and find.
You were treasure troves of imagination, each one of a kind.
~
My heart breaks for us both as there's no going back to those days.
The moments can't be captured again except perhaps
In photographs and fuzzy memories, such bittersweet sorrow.
You and I are trapped here in a time loop, while they keep going,
Laughter and innocence, mischief and mystery, replaying on a screen designed for us,
'If onlys' teasing in the background of a different tomorrow,
You have so much more to give, yet I can't seem to let you go.
It's selfish, but I can't stop hoping for the next generation of chubby hands and curious eyes to hold you.
So, I'll ask for a little patience until the tears dry, and I can finally borrow
Enough strength to thank you for everything, and revel in the afterglow.
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More stories from Heather Hubler and writers in Poets and other communities.
On Winning and Losing
Recently, the pleasant surprise of placement on the Vocal Bonus Leaderboard sent me down a rabbit hole. Now, rabbit holes are a pretty common place for me to spend time, but I don't always feel the call to write about them. To be honest, the thought of sharing some of them mortifies me.
By Dana Crandell4 days ago in Writers
Comments (42)
Ah, sooo beautiful. Such a way with words! I loved circling things in the Argos catalogue when I was little. When I look at houses online that I know I can't afford, I tell my partner it's the adult version of the Argos Christmas catalogue 😀
Fantastic work
Beautiful poem Heather!!! 🥰 congratulations! It’s where it should be, on the front page. 🥇
Ahhh another generation will breathe life into them 😁
A touching ode to cherished memories and the lasting impact of treasured possessions.
Is it any wonder adults now pay a fortune for collectable toys from our childhoods? Something to hold onto to help us remember innocent times ❤️
Wonderful, Heather! I have so many fond memories of old toys and books. Congratulations on a well-deserved top story! 💕🙂
Such a wonderful ode. I love these lines: "The moments can't be captured again except perhaps / In photographs and fuzzy memories, such bittersweet sorrow." Sometimes we think we can capture and/or remember a moment forever only to find that pictures and memories fade. And often we rewrite what happened to the point of not even doing justice to the original. Congratulations on Top Story!
This exactly! You have succinctly captured that throat tightening moment that comes with feel good reminiscing.
Beautiful poetry heather. Congrats on TS.
Well, I finally made it back to comment on this one and now I can congratulate you on Top Story, too. This hit me as a child, then as a parent, and then as a grandparent. So many moments gone.
I like that song you included. A wonderful sentiment that complimented the poem perfectly. Excellent Work!!! 🤩
I was drawn into my childhood again Congratulations
Congrats! 🎉
You took me back to my favorite doll and stuffie. Nice work, Heather; I love this poem! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Beautiful ♥️ Love the beginning stanza especially " Circled in a winter catalog" ❤️ Congratulations on Top story too.
“Put away for the very last time” UGH RIGHT IN THE HEART ❤️😅
Miss U'z - You can't play with my 'Toys' anymore - J-Bud
Nostalgia and warm feelings 💕 very well written
There it is. Congrats, Empress.
Wow, Wow 😮 CONGRATULATIONS FRIEND💖🎉🎉🎉✨👌🎉🎉😁TOP STORY❗❗❗❗
Oh, so sad, but so sweet and nostalgic. Beautiful!
This Poem is Wonderful!
😭 oh my goodness- this just got me straight in the heart! Now I’m looking at the toys scattered all over my living room and loving that they are there (maybe not that Lego I just stepped on), but truly…perspective. And tears. Beautiful ode, Heather! Love this one so much!
Wow I’m simply blown away by this every line just kept getting stronger the last lines were my favorite. So much in here well done