If I should forget you
in the mist of growing old
I’ll remember to grasp that mist
and not let go.
I’ll weave the threads
between my fingers,
tie knots to help them linger
just a little longer
to remind me
of the autumn mist
along the coast
and the first time we kissed.
Kim M. Russell, 15th November 2018
My response to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: All in November’s soaking mist, also linking to dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night
This Thursday, Sanaa is out host. She tells us that she recently came across a poem by Pablo Neruda that completely blew her away. It’s called ‘If You Forget Me’, which is the frame of reference for our own poems, for which we can choose our own form or we can write in free verse.
writing in north norfolk 
This is absolutely mesmerizing, Kim 😍 I love the idea of weaving threads/tying knots to help memories linger a little longer.. sigh ❤️❤️ Thank you so much for writing to the prompt 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sanaa. I love the prompt! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love how you weaved the mist with remembering… the image of tying it around your finger will linger… and the rhymes you have used.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Björn.
LikeLike
Your last stanza is such sweet remembrance. Your internal rhythms work well. Senior moments are not for sissies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
What a wonderful poem! I love the image of tying the mists around your finger for remembrance. Sometimes those with dementia often seem to do this. Getting older is mos def not for wimps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Toni. Definitely not for wimps.
LikeLike
I like how you describe remembering as “I’ll weave the threads
between my fingers,”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I observed ‘finger weaving’ at the care home where my mother spent her last days. It’s a bit like telling the rosary or counting memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow, very lovely 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
Kim- this is truly lovely…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Distilling the complexity of a first kiss, memory and loss into 12 lines. Such difficult subjects represented in this way is really representative of how, when we remember, we tend to do it: no complexity, just how it was. Clever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
the mist is an otherworldly realm and it fits perfectly with the heart of your poem
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jade.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually sighed when I finished reading this one… There is a beauty to the imagery that sticks to the heart, the same is true about the the haunting tone of the truth dancing from stanza to stanza–the love is strong in the speaker’s mind, so it the fear… of forgetting what it’s loved.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, dear Magaly. We think our love will never change but I saw what dementia did to my mum. I’m going to hold on as tightly as I can, even if it’s mist I’m clinging onto.
LikeLiked by 1 person
(❤)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hold on to those sweet memories. Love the Neruda inspired poem Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Grace.
LikeLike
Wow. Beautiful words
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
So deeply touching, Kim. I think the fear of dementia can take center stage as we grow older and I love that metaphor you created of weaving together those threads and tying knots to keep them from unraveling too soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Victoria. You understand em so well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice. I particularly liked the word-play of mist/midst – and how the poem progresses from general to to a very specific mist and that particular kiss.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Peter, I’m delighted your eagle eye spotted the subtle wordplay!
LikeLike
So sweet – an ethereal connector.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We still love misty days up here on the North Norfolk coast. It rolls in from the sea like tumbleweed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we get the mist off the lakes – so dreamy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, so lovely…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sherry.
LikeLike
Just beautiful Kim, and tender… :-). How ptecious our memories, and how fragile thry can be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rob. 🙂
LikeLike
This says it all by capturing it all: “I’ll remember to grasp that mist/and not let go.”
A beautiful verse, Kim. The idea of remembering has turned into a profound experience in your words. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Anmol. 🙂
LikeLike
Love is working with what is, and this poem weaves such a powerful song to acceptance in working with mist. Magnificent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Brendan.
LikeLike
Sensational first verse especially – love the imagery of holding on to mist
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laura.
LikeLike
This is so beautiful! I can’t imagine forgetting loved ones, but it happens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Mary.
LikeLike
The vulnerability of ageing , beautifully rendered in this sad poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rall.
LikeLike
Thank you Kim, I loved your poem!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Annell.
LikeLike
Just lovely, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jane.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How beautiful the images of the scene were as I read this poem. What a delight it was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robin.
LikeLike
Love the use of the mist here, Kim. Enchanting poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sara.
LikeLike
There is lots of love in these lines. Since I grew up on the Oregon Coast I am fond of the mist and what it can conjure to mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes it just takes you by surprise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So often memories are simply clutching fog…Such a beautiful poem
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Susie.
LikeLike
How very lovely this poem is.. the gentle sound of mist and its rhymes, and the image of holding onto precious memory all evoke the emotions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kerry.
LikeLike
This is haunting and beautiful, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bekkie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, very sweet and beautiful. I love your delicate touch, which does not diminish profundity but deepens it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Rosemary.
LikeLike
So many have spoken so well about your very well done poem, a terrific response to the Neruda prompt. I’ll just tell you I liked the feel and the flow of this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Sigh. So sweetly written
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Margaret.
LikeLike
I have nothing as piercing or cloudy as what has been already written now,
to have walked with you both there on that far away coast is a dream,
The sunlight dims the threads as they tighten in our grasp
And all I can add to these readings is what I whispered when I finished,
Wow, just simply,
Wow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Lona. Your appreciation means a lot to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
kaykuala
I’ll weave the threads
between my fingers,
tie knots to help them linger
just a little longer
One would do everything possible in the hope of preserving a memory for someone dear to one’s heart.
Hank
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, Hank, I believe one would. 😊
LikeLike
love is ethereal when it’s not tormenting
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful poem, Kim.
LikeLike
Thankyou, Francina!
LikeLike