Muse for Monday

Memories and nostalgia are the chills and the warm fuzzies which link us to our pasts. Both are triggered by any number of things: A smell, a sound, a song, the wind, places, cars….you get the idea. Anything can remind us of the people no longer in our lives. Let’s walk down the hall, shall we?

MantraMany of us take our photographs really seriously. We inherited the tradition of lining a hallway with the chain of events we recorded for posterity. Very few know the reason why the hall is important.

As the conduit which brings you from the public, social areas of the house to the intimate chambers, it is very traveled. It offers the opportunity for nostalgia each time we wake and when we go to bed. Both are very important times of the day when we are most likely to entertain the portions of our past which bring fond memories.

In The Hall, you will find how a certain picture captures the attention and sets off a chain of events which all tie to the photograph. It is the quietest part of the day. Listen to the theme song of everyday sounds.

The Hall

The dishes are done.
The laundry is folded.
All the animals have eaten.
In the other room, the box drones
Between odd ads and canned laughter.
The sweeping second hand jerks up
To tick off another minute.

Perfectly stoic
Standing in the hall,
Eyes linger in each of the frames.
First the old, then the newer ones.
Moments captured by the shutter.
Drawing closer, now to look up
At the one with us in it.

The grandfather clock's gotten slow...

The clock chimes the time.
It’s a touch past nine.
The grandfather clock’s gotten slow.
Forgotten are the weights and chains
Until bedtime comes without call.
In the robe and slippers to trudge
Into a moonlit room to wind it.

It is a long walk
Back to the chilled bedroom.
Snuggled under blankets and sheets,
Remembering the warmth they held,
Sought when you had stolen them all.
In those moments, its this picture
Recalled, with us together in it.

210520121827
(c) Ann Marie Dwyer

~~~~~~~~~~Β 


Are you a photo album collector? Do you have the hallway full of framed photographs? What in your house reminds you the most of a time long past? Is Mate a cover hog?

(c) Ann Marie Dwyer 2012
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33 Comments

  1. places songs all remind me of past events some happy some sad photos only come out once every ten years lol but recently fleetwood mac tracks have been on my mind and happy times when my brothers sat me on their knee xjen
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    Reply
    • Red

       /  June 11, 2012

      Music has such a way of reminding us, doesn’t it? So very good to see you tonight. xxx

      Reply
  2. THAT’S BEAUTIFUL ……
    I GOT LOST IN THAT POEM …
    IN A GOOD WAY πŸ™‚
    MEMORY LANE – IT’S AN INTERESTING ONE TO TRAVEL …., SOMETIMES HAPPY SOMETIMES SAD ……. SOMETIMES IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS …….. πŸ™‚ FOR ME IT’S MUSIC AND SMELLS THAT BRING ME BACK …..:)
    XO LOVE AND HUGS
    CAT XO
    Cat Forsley recently posted..Daisy = me = a Wombie ? xx Cat Forsley Β©My Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      There are many smells which do it for me. Not so much with music, but I think that has more to do with the music in my head…

      Reply
      • πŸ™‚ HI LADY RED HEART O LOVE ….
        WHAT MUSIC IS IN YOUR HEAD – WHAT DO YOU HEAR ?
        πŸ™‚ I ALWAYS ALWAYS HEAR MUSIC ……
        ESPECIALLY RHYTHMS – IT’S ALL AMPLIFIED ….. SMELLS – FOR SURE – LILACS AND PEONIES – THERE IS THIS PERFUME THAT MOM USED TO WEAR WHEN I WAS A KID —- IT WAS VERY EIGHTIES πŸ™‚ I THINK IT WAS CALLED “FRACAS”
        AND ANYONE THAT WEARS SOMETHING WITH A NOTE OF THAT PERFUME – I THINK IT’S TUBEROSE OR SOMETHING – I ALWAYS ALWAYS GET VIVID MEMORIES THE 80’S ………
        XX
        LOVE AND HUGGS XOXO
        C
        Cat Forsley recently posted..Daisy = me = a Wombie ? xx Cat Forsley Β©My Profile

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        • Red

           /  June 13, 2012

          Depends on the day and my mood. Sometimes, it is only rhythm. Other times, it is complete symphonies. Every once in a while, a lullaby. I think I remember that perfume. If we are thinking of the same one, it is tuberose. I love that smell. I have an awesome candle in my kitchen with that scent. I like to burn it when I burn one of leather or suede. Makes for a very distinct blend of smells which reminds me of riding horseback.
          {HUGZ}
          Red.
          xxx

          Reply
          • OOH πŸ™‚ SOUNDS NICE ………….
            I LOVE CANDLES TOO —— πŸ™‚ YEAH FRACAS = TUBEROSE —- JUST LOOKED IT UP ….:)
            MADONNA MADE THIS ONE RECENTLY CALLED “TRUTH OR DARE ” – TOTAL COPY OF THE SCENT —— U KNOW WHAT IS THE COOLEST SITE FOR SCENTS ——-I FOUND LATELY ————— I CAN ALMOST SNIFF THE SITE πŸ™‚ LOL ……
            http://www.yummicandles.com/
            IT’S SUPER FUN IN THERE
            JUST LIKE IT’S SUPER FUN IN HERE …..
            AND OF COURSE WOMBANIA – WHAT’S NEW πŸ™‚ LOL
            I BETTER WRITE SOMETHING NEW SOON OR ELSE I AM GONNA TURN INTO A CARTOON πŸ™‚ XOX
            XOIXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
            HUGGS RED .
            SO GLAD DEB INTRODUCED US –
            XO
            Cat Forsley recently posted..Daisy = me = a Wombie ? xx Cat Forsley Β©My Profile

          • I am very glad as well. I have been considering having a Wombie of my own. I need to get to drawing soon…Peter said I should draw a Wombie for Wombania. I am thinking of drawing a new one…a Red one πŸ™‚ {HUGZ} Red. xxx

  3. I never thought of a hallway of photos in quite that way Red. Nice poem as well! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      Thank you, Wendy. Hallway photos are just one of those things we accept as “how it is done” without ever thinking about it.

      Reply
  4. Beautiful poetry Red,am a collector..each photo singing different tune,so many memories, good ones and not so good ones too..but they are part of my life
    loved the poetry,beautiful and so poignant
    Soma Mukherjee recently posted..Hello It’s MeMy Profile

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    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      Glad you liked this one. I, too, am a collector. In prints alone I have in the ballpark of 12,000 photos. I happen to be a bit of a shutterbug.

      Reply
  5. This might be surprising to learn but the only photographs that I have on display are of my pets, both past and present πŸ™‚ I like your poem Red as it adds that nostalgic feel to it, memories and lots of them πŸ™‚

    As for quilt / blanket huggers that is more than likely to be you wicked females, however I am always nice and warm so no problem πŸ™‚ Hey I have not been around much lately I know but you can blame it on the F1 and of course the European Cup Tournament, I always watch those football matches you know πŸ™‚ Eventually I will be back here all the time adding my thoughts to your wonderful postings πŸ™‚

    Have a very nice Tuesday Red and be Naughty πŸ˜‰

    Androgoth XXx

    Reply
    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      Cannot say that is me. I am quite a heat rock myself. I do snuggle, but not so much with the blankets. How is that for wicked?

      Reply
  6. Love the Poem Red! πŸ™‚

    I took a lot of pictures of my God daughter and her siblings as they grew up.

    After the flood at their home only my photographs remained intact and are now a valuable source of memories.

    I also had some video I shot of the girls growing up which I transferred to DVD, a hard task, but worth it and which they now keep stored away for appreciation in the future.

    The greatest gift I had to give them were memories and it was the completion of a labour of love…

    Huge hugs! πŸ™‚

    Prenin.
    prenin recently posted..Sunday – more writing.My Profile

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    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      I was never much of a movie maker. Photos…gobs. I would love to have an industrial sized scanner to put all of the older prints on file digitally. Seems a task which will wait until my next retirement…{HUGZ} Red.

      Reply
  7. Enjoyed reading that post my friend, the senses have a great memory , for me memories have resurfaced with the scent of certain flowers and aromas on a Summers day that takes me back to Vietnam, the throng of people ignite an awareness and hyper alertness, certain visual scenes on TV, but as a war veteran I suppose these senses are expected to carry the memory.
    Cheers
    Aussie Emu
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    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      The events which affect us the most are the ones which are triggered by scents and sites. I know many vets who say the same as you. If no one has told you recently, thank you for your service. {HUGZ} Red.

      Reply
  8. Yes I am.
    Yes I do.
    I have the painted handprints from preschool (for my brother, sister and myself) hanging up in my house. Sadly, I had saved many other items, but when moving from my old house (divorce) my items to save got put in with the items for goodwill. Someone got a lot of memories they didn’t plan on.
    My hubby is the worst. He also sleeps in “mugger gear”….hoodie, sweats and all. He’s a cold, cold person.
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    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      I have lost many over the years, so I can relate. *giggles* Mugger gear.

      Reply
  9. When words on paper or screen make me see images in my head, then Muse has done very well…

    Images
    -end of day. neatened house, family in the den and in pictures on the wall.
    -sleepy time comes, time for bed and reluctant kids fall asleep
    -where is the one with whom we share this life? with us, or not, whether they are there or not.

    MJ
    MJ Logan recently posted..For the Love of WaterMy Profile

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    • Red

       /  June 13, 2012

      This one really did speak to you. Sounds like Mantra and Muse are talking.

      Reply
  10. I really like the idea of the hallway of time.
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