Sunday, July 19, 2015

"In Search of Grace"



In Search of Grace

Time has changed me, many ways for good
though a few vices have certainly taken root.

Lately find myself missing the old (the young?)
me I've seemingly left behind.

Awkward as she was, I miss her sweetness,
her naiveté, her ready laughter.

Each morning search for a softness
I'm hard pressed to find.

Glimpse her in my youngest's hugs,
an old song, a look in my husband's eyes;

Reach my hand out, invite her back.
Find she is very shy.

by Margaret Bednar, July 19, 2015

This is for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Sunday Mini Challenge - Goodness Gracious"  The above photo I took in Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY - and used the Waterlogue App.  

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Think a wave of nostalgia is in the air everywhere... totally resonates with my current mood!

Nicholas said...

I understand how you feel. How the new you wishes for the old more pleasant and naive you to return cause the new you is just not working. ha, i'm talking from experience. nice one!

Jae Rose said...

What a wonderful moment of reflection..we are a cumulation of our former selves...present selves ad self to be..the line about her/you being shy was touching..i guess once we have moved forward we will never be shy in the same way again...perhaps that is good?

J Cosmo Newbery said...

A sweet wistfulness to this.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

Glimpse her in my youngest's hugs,
an old song, a look in my husband's eyes;

Beautiful and deep lines. Loved this poem :)

Sumana Roy said...

Grace never leaves, it was there in the softness, in naiveté, in ready laughter, in innocence and it is still there in wisdom, in courage and in experience....a sweet & lovely poem...

Old Egg said...

It is so difficult to coax her back into your life isn't it? She's there alright but just a little behind you.

Outlawyer said...

A very personal poem that is really poignant. I think we get very defended as we age. Your poem points to how important it is to be aware of that. I guess space needs to be made! Thanks, Margaret, for joining in with this lovely poem.k.

X said...

We never truly lose them, you know. I like that you still see her in your husbands eye, but I am sure too that he appreciated the mature woman as well. As we age we round out (In more ways than one, Ha.) and I definitely appreciate that more and more.

Vinay Leo R. said...

I think we've all been there, the urge to go back in time to who we once were, to the times which feel happier, easier... it's difficult, but like you say, it's still there in the little things that matter. It won't come back easily, but it's never too far if you want to feel its presence! Beautiful poetry.

Leo @ I Rhyme Without Reason

Mary said...

Oh, how well I know this feeling. Our younger self is so close to us, yet so far away. If we don't look in the mirror...sometimes she is even touchable. And sometimes we can recapture her when we look at the eyes of love in others. Smiles.

Grace said...

I too know the feeling but there are positive things about being a mature woman - grace, acceptance and strength ~ But how I long to be young(er) for health reasons, smiles ~

Susan said...

Ah! Seek and you will find. I love that you love your younger self and invite her back including awkward, shy, sweetness, laughter. Together you will have a great time aging!

totomai said...

I think the past is intrumental to what you have become, Margaret. It's nice to look back and get an inspiration or two and move forward again.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh how I relate - life keeps us so busy, we're on fast forward,we get competent, brisk, rushed.......that softness is still in there though. I love your seeing it in your daughter's smile, your husband's eyes......loved this poem!

Fireblossom said...

Isn't that the truth. I've been having this same feeling a lot lately myself. I love the way you put this.

Kerry O'Connor said...

One is sorry to see that youthful part of us slipping away. I'm grateful to work with young people because they constantly remind me of the benefits of retaining some of that magic.

Maude Lynn said...

This is so lovely and touching, Margaret.

Gillena Cox said...

there is a happy contentment which one needs to strive towards here; a lovely poem; thanks for sharing this bit of grace

have a happy Sunday

much love...

Isadora Gruye said...

I love the personification here and the voice of narrator is a perfect balance of bitter and sweet. Well done and viva la

Myrna R. said...

Lovely poem. I miss the young me sometimes too. But, I'm generally glad I've aged, gained a little wisdom or maybe just some wrinkles.

Anonymous said...

I often think of that younger version... sweetly nostalgic,Margaret

Gen Giggles said...

Yes the world does change us. We can be who we want still, though it may be difficult.

ZQ said...

perfect... as I understood.
ZQ

Hannah said...

This:

"me I've seemingly left behind.

Awkward as she was, I miss her sweetness,
her naiveté, her ready laughter."

struck me....resonates. Beautiful write and painting.

Wendy Bourke said...

I have had similar contemplations regarding my young self and me. They are often tinged with wistfulness - though I ready couldn't tell you exactly why. I enjoyed this piece very much.

Other Mary said...

Awww - I hope you two get together. Nice one, Margaret.

TexWisGirl said...

nicely written. we all seem to get a bit more cynical or jaded as we age. *sigh*

good luck on the house sale!