20 Comments
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Martin Mc Carthy's avatar

This is a very beautiful poem, Nora. I was very touched by it, thinking of my own mother who grew her own flowers and put them in a big white vase. Actually, now that I think about it, money was scarce back then, so shops rarely sold them, like they do now.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Martin! We had some lean times too, and sometimes these flowers were the only birthday gift. But they are what I remember best of all. I appreciate your kind words!

Antonio Castellaneta's avatar

There is a passage where what is passed down does not remain as memory, but moves as a gesture, continuing to bloom without needing to be remembered in the same way. It is not loss that interrupts, but the way something travels through time by changing form, and right there, where memory softens, what remains finds another way to continue.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

That’s a beautiful way of putting it! Like the ever greening of spring, always surprising. Thank you so much for reading and your lovely comment!

Ray Sweatman's avatar

Great voiceover

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you, Ray!!

AsukaHotaru's avatar

That pale vase being passed toward the daughter... I went very small there, like one object was trying to hold three women at once...

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

That’s a lovely thought! Thank you, Asuka!! 💕

School of Blue's avatar

This is so lovely, Nora. Thank you.

Seajade's avatar

The fragrance of inevitability, the passage of time, memories fading and hope for the future all wrapped up in one beautiful poesy. Thank you Nora 🖤😊😘

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks so much, Sea~! Some affirmation in times of trouble. Let us rely on the small good things! With love and squalor

Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

Lily of the Valley, little fairy bells said to attract silver, the moon metal. The language of flowers is the language of love, of grief, of gratitude and spiritual contemplation, used as messages “say it with flowers”. In Chinese tradition, every woman has the form of a flower in the spirit world. Your mother holds them close, so do you and so will your daughter, a Lily of the Valley, legacy. Be well and enjoy the fragrance of May Days 🩶Geraldine

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Ah, thank you, Lady G! I didn’t realize the connection to silver and the moon, but I have always felt that pull!

Thank you for reading and commenting and your ever open heart!

xoxoxox

Ray Sweatman's avatar

Gorgeous!

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks, Ray! Your opinion means so much to me!

John Sheils's avatar

That’s a really brilliant and beautiful poem. It’s a gift

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

You’re very kind, John! I appreciate so much your recognition of the gift my mother gave me. Thank you!

Stephen's avatar

beauty! just in time for mothers day .

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Ah, thank you, Stephen! That nice bouquet is filling the house with sweet memories.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks so very much, Richard!