My Grandmother’s China (Photo credit: Maia C)
undusted Shenandoah platter
wrapped in tissues of regret
those careful, long fingers
trace patterns on your patterns
before exiled
to await
the next generation
feast of blame
for more poems on this prompt, visit We Write Poems
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Shiteki Na Usagi 
You write in lovely phrases, like “…wrapped in tissues of regret..”–beautiful.
Marylin,
Thank you. Finding good phrases, it is a challenge and a reward. I’m happy you found one you liked.
Nice. It puts me in mind of the many items imbued with memories of my grandparents and my dad.
blancaster99,
What a hold those inherited items have on us–treasures, regrets, hopes. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Yes. I’ve experimented some with prose connected to those kinds of things, such as Tim O’Brien does in The Things They Carry, but I haven’t reached a satisfactory point. We shall see how things go in the future.
blancaster99,
I look forward to reading it. 😉
tissues of regret reels in the emotional kick
Luke,
Good to have you here. I was trying for subtle (blindsiding) emotion. I’m actually quite tired of listening to myself whine about personal matters, so much so that it’s stifled my desire to write. Time to find new topics and write anyway. Thanks for reading and commenting. I’ve enjoyed my recent reads at your space.
a plate for me
a bowl for you
cup and saucer
all lovely do
47whitebuffalo,
Shall we have afternoon tea? Sweet poetic invitation. Thank you for taking the time to write and read here.
I’m missing my father’s teacups. I always knew crockery were important pieces of heritage. 🙂
Irene,
Not surprising that we consider objects sacred, in a sense. I have several things of my father, gone ten years now, and some of my mother, gratefully still with me, which I treasure and touch and recall. They are connecting points for me, a quick way to appreciate and remember those dear. You’re the same. Things are even more important when they have cultural heritage as an additional layer. Thank you for stopping by and sharing a tea of thought and memory.
Oh that phrase “feast of blame” does indeed convey much of a family’s history…well said.
slpmartin,
Families pass on all kinds of things, both intended and unintended. What does Aunt Bea hope to leave behind? 😉 Thank you for stopping to read and point out a favorite phrase.
You put so much emotion into so few words – well done!
Denise,
It’s all that haiku practice. 😉 Thank you for stopping by and taking time to comment. I look forward to visiting your site.
Lovely, lovely poem..makes me cry! Every evocative of some memory here.
Lady Nyo
Lady Nyo,
A poem should produce a strong feeling or reaction or echo, right? I’m learning, and I’m happy I could share it with you.
the BEST poems do this…and this is in the running.
Lady Nyo
Lady Nyo,
😀
Handed down treasures keep our connective links alive, helping us to remember both the good and the not so good things of our experience.
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/going-inside/
Elizabeth,
As long as the things handed down are physical treasures and not emotional baggage, I’m happy. Thanks for stopping in to read and comment.
Yikes – feast of blame one I know! And the tissues. Very cool short poem. k.
k,
Ominous sounding, right? I liked it. It’s always nice when things fall together simply. Thanks for taking a look.