If someone comes for my memories
by Madison (Maddie) Diring
If someone comes for my memories,
do not let them take my father.
Let them leave behind
how his eyes disappear when he smiles,
how the crinkles next to those blue-greens
are the last etchings of my grandpa.
Let me have how he pauses and sits up on his elbows,
how he begins with “here’s the thing though…”
how he always wins at board games
while still making sure we want to keep playing.
Let me cling how he laughs,
a quick chortle
a feigned snort
the only medals I ever cared about.
If someone comes for my memories,
do not let them take my mother.
Let them leave behind
how her head now rests below my chin,
how she used to say chrysanthemum
like it was written for her,
slow and gentle,
words of vanilla and soft butter.
Let me have how she cries,
how there is a soft “oh” cut off by tears,
how she is a woman who lets emotions be emotions
and weaves flower crowns for my inner child.
Let me cling to her wrists,
fragile and dainty
yet strong and constant–
bird wings who taught me how to fly.
If someone comes for my memories,
do not let them take my sister.
Let them leave behind
her mentoring handprints on my arm,
each a physical cut it out or c’mere.
Let me keep her pitched vibrato laughter,
sound fragments of infectious beauty.
Let me have how she draws,
how she holds her pen so tightly
there is a mark on her right finger–
another scar she bears willingly;
she is pure devotion,
she protects her pack.
Let me cling to her like I have
since my beginning,
and will until my very end.
If someone comes for my memories,
do not let them take my family.
Let me have the push of muscles and sigh of shoulders,
the calm asphyxiation of my father’s hug.
Let me have the plush of cheek against my head
and the lullaby on my mother’s lips.
Let me have our planned dreams,
sister whispers in a bunk bed,
now phone calls across country seas.
Let me cling to the sounds of cards shuffling,
popcorn in shared bowls,
sensorial glimmers of consanguinity,
a lifetime of being loved.
And should they decide to take me,
Let them leave my memories.
This is such a beautiful poem! I could feel every emotion and memory as if it were my own. The repetition at the beginning of each stanza is so impactful. I absolutely love this.
I love this so much for so many reasons. Your love is so present in these freeze frame moments. I identify with …He begins with, “here’s the thing, though…” And the last two lines-perfection! Ahhh, what a precious gift, these families.
Stunning! I love this poem. What a sweet way to write about your family.
This is such a fantastic poem – I’m not kidding when I say I might use this format for an assignment! Also, I love what you added to your 3rd stanza – it’s so much stronger now! Also, your word choice? *chef’s kiss*
Damn! This poem is so powerful. I can feel the love and memories you have of your family jumping off the page. Bravo!!!!
This is so touching! I hope that You share this with each of them. In a world where things like Alzheimer’s and Dementia exist, I think we all have those specific things that we hope would not be taken away by them.