When I was young,
I couldn’t imagine being brave enough
to climb a beanstalk into the sky.
But, in life, that is exactly what I did,
stepping off into the abyss,
a bemused Ms Magoo,
somehow managing to land
more or less upright.
There were times I felt
the giant’s hot breath on my neck,
but I was nimble,
I was quick,
and hopped fast away.
The goose that laid the golden egg
eluded me.
My treasure was found
in the forest,
by the sea,
in golden friendships,
in music and the love of words,
in dogs, and all wild creatures.
My journey taught me things
I have been happy to pass along,
- not that anyone wants to listen -
they are all too busy leaping off
their own precipices.
I now sit in my counting-house,
counting golden memories.
My treasure still lies
in the heart-lift to be found
in that vault of blue fairy-tale sky,
the sheen of that
shimmering rainbow,
in windsong and the sight of
birds on the wing,
and the memories of so much love,
the memories
of so much love...
of so much love...
You have had a rich journey, Sherry. You have learned (and given) along the way, and I hope that those who know you will read all of those learnings you continually share in your poetry.
ReplyDeleteLove the fairy tale references... think I've had my share of humpty-dumpty and little-miss-muffet :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a coincidence! I also revisited a poem from 2016. I smiled at 'a bemused Ms Magoo' and love your Jack and the Beanstalk analogy, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteEr, this is Sherry's post, not mine. (Grin.)
DeleteAh, these golden memories are well cherished in your words, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to have had such experiences and to have found such kinship with the forest/nature at large. The lessons/things that you share are wonderful. :-)
Well I didn't think you would be sitting in the counting house counting out your money:) You describe a very rich and fortunate life with memories of so much love...the only thing that counts in the long run.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are rich indeed!
ReplyDeleteAs long as we can look back and see how happy we have been in life despite the hurt and setbacks we've experienced that is fine.
ReplyDeleteThis is why we read fairy tales to our kids. They are whales that end in bigger doors.
ReplyDeleteYou have had a beautiful journey, Sherry and have much to experience yet and look forward to! Jack and the Beanstalk was one of my favorites as a kid 😊💞
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of sitting in the counting house counting golden memories and us all leaping off our own precipices. The last stanza has magic to it.
ReplyDeleteI always luv a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Sunday Sherry
Much love...
Memories do indeed make us rich. Most of us have selective memories, so we tend to filter out the bad, and--voila!--all is well!
ReplyDeleteHow does one measure treasure? I think you have been gifted in a profound way my friend.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you!
PS - sent you an email
oh Sherry, i think not many can have that rich life you have, "the memories of so much love".
ReplyDeleteThose golden memories... that's what we need when we no longer can climb.
ReplyDeleteCounting your golden memories...what a lovely thought. I know there are tin memories but still you count the golden. that says a lot about you and how you live your life. such a wonderful thought in this! You give so much!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a beautiful fairy tale journey indeed.. where happily ever after is defined by memories, gratitude and so much love. The poem lifted my mood is evening and filled it with tender warmth. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful Sherry. Makes me think that life really is a fairytale, not always with a happy ending, but always a story.
ReplyDeleteLovey story and memories.
ReplyDeleteThose last lines brought a catch in the throat. This is a beautiful summation.
ReplyDeleteThe repetition in the last two lines sums up this wonderful poem beautifully Sherry! You have lived such an amazing life, enduring so much pain, loss, and hardship. You are a giver.....a giver of inspiration, wisdom of experience, and love....so much love!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this wonderfully rendered fairytale-esque extended metaphor, Sherry. It took my mind on a bit of a musing meander ~ one which I have yet to return from ~ smiles
ReplyDeleteYes! LOVE never leaves...
ReplyDeleteZQ
My journey taught me things
ReplyDeleteI have been happy to pass along,
- not that anyone wants to listen -
they are all too busy leaping off
their own precipices.
ohh ... well sometimes, this is as it should be ... we all have our own paths and precipices to find and fall/leap off .... wonder stanza and pivot - and then what an amazing ending! wow - what a wonderful poem Ms. Magoo :D
I have always disliked Jack's fairy tale... have never been able to get beyond the fact that he is a thief, but everyone acts as if he's the hero of the tale.
ReplyDeleteI love this retelling, with a heroine who truly understands treasures, and who is willing to share them... with those who listen.
Yum!
Beautiful! You have had a rich and wonderful journey. Xo
ReplyDelete