From time to time something is bound to put you in a reflective mood. The book I’m currently reading, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg, has done just that. No real correlation in terms of memories shared, but the overall tone and nature of the author’s storytelling simply made my mind wander down memory lane: laughter and tears, love and loss, so many reminders of how blessed I am.
A few years ago, I penned a poem, Unsuitable for Framing, and Poetry Quarterly was kind enough to publish it in one of their journals. I reread it today and almost pulled the lid off a box of old photos. I decided against it, however, as I currently have no time for an extended journey down memory lane. To all who have made appearances in the action shots, candid moments and gigantic oopses of my life, please know you are not forgotten, but cherished and not even remotely neatly stacked or chronologically ordered. Though, I optimistically plan such organization so often it has become amusing in itself.
Unsuitable for Framing
A life, her life,
neatly stacked,
chronologically ordered,
frame by frame.
Before her…
the weight of memories rests
dusty,
paper thin, finger worn.
Frayed edges,
golden-yellow hues
now spotty and faded.
All… unsuitable for framing,
…but the journey!
Every mistake,
every hard-won victory.
The wasted time…
sunlight and laughter,
distant now, too distant.
Still, their light lingers.
~C. L. Killgore
Originally published in Poetry Quarterly, Fall 2020