Warm & Bright
Original Watercolor
by Kim Nelson
In Grandma’s lap
I learned all about
Love and light and God and right
In her garden, lessons eternal
The cycles of life
Violence
Strife
Ripeness and rot and renewal
In her kitchen, preservation
Both of food and of myself
As we peeled, pared, processed, bottled, saved
In her tub, of perfection
As she gently washed my hair
Kneeling down
Lifting up
Generous Sage
At her table, gratitude
Even when the fare was meager
Openness
Willingness to see the best
From her life
From her death
I learned of worthiness
Inherent
In All
At His behest
And of Grace
What a wonderful tribute. I loved this:
In her tub, of perfection
As she gently washed my hair
Kneeling down
Lifting up
Generous Sage
Well done!
Such lovely lessons from Grandma ~ I like generous sage and gratitude ~
Sounds like you had a great grandmother. Beautiful art and poem, Kim.
an emotional piece for me…i wrote earlier this week on losing my grandfather at an early age…actually i lost 3 out or 4 by the time i was 10 or 12…my own FILs illness this week as well and the fear my boys would lose another grandparent as well…so you caught me just at the right time to make me smile as i shed a tear with this one…
Eager retrospect and a graceful tribute of memory that is endearing but not sentimental.
Chagallesque painting, too. If I had to play favourites, it’s it.
My grandmother was an enormous influence in my life before she died when I was 13. She was the only adult I knew that I wanted to emulate so on a personal note I found this very touching. Within your poem you honor her legacy and gifts, continuing to connect you to one another. How beautifully you stitch the everyday lessons and the overarching life lessons together in a tapestry of love.
this is a very warm, very flowing poem, brought up many memories of my grandmother, which was something i really needed today. very well done
Thrilled to know this piece served you well. :-)
A loving tribute to a grandmother.
A beautiful piece, Kim– lovely associations, more lyrical than not…xxxj
Memories of my own grandmother are mere fragments, and she passed away when I was 9.
This is a very touching read. To have someone who taught you all of the values in life which matter most and in such a gentle way too. You were truly taught the light and the right because your grandmother was filled with it.
Beautiful writing Kim.
A beautiful poem, Kim. Three of my grandparents were dead before I was born; and the only grandmother I ‘knew’ died when I was six; so I did not have this kind of experience. However, I can only hope that someday my granddaughter and grandson will feel the same way about me. I loved especially your stanza about kitchen learnings!
I particularly like the first stanza and the last line. The whole piece is very moving.
Lovely lessons of life taught at Grandma’s hands.
she sounds like a wonderful woman…and again this confirms that the most important lessons in life are learned in kitchens and gardens and at the hand of someone who didn’t always have an easy life…love it kim
I was also super close to my grandmothers, especially one. A very special relationship which you’ve caught here. k.
So much of an education when one is fortunate to have a mentor. The rich and vibrant nature of knowledge is difficult to.get . How lucky you are Kim! Nicely
Hank
what lovely memories you have! thank you for sharing them.
♥
This soaked into my soul. So beautiful. Thank you.