Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Good Old Days

The Sunday Scribblings prompt is The Good Old Days. Click on link or logo to see how other bloggers responded to this prompt.


My
"Good Old Days" lasted through more or less 70 years of my life with Otto before his accidental death last May. That 70 years includes the years I knew him at Stanford as well as the 68 years we were married. But in deference to the prompt, I submit this re-created memory of a morning in 1940. I can find no pictures of Otto and me together in our college years. With no digital cameras in the "good old days", college students were stingy with their film. So here are two separate pictures of us to show how young we were at the time to which I refer in this poem, recently written (not even in my computer yet. I'll have to sidetrack this post while I write it into my file of poems).

Otto, spring of 1940


Phyllis, spring of 1940

FIRST MORNING

Last night you held me
as raindrops pattered.

This morning
every puddle on the muddy path
reflects sky
shoots glints of sunlight
from its ripples.

Drops of last night’s rain
still cling to trees,
refract rainbows,

and every atom in me dances.

Phyllis Sterling Smith

I don't think I miss "the good old days" in most ways. I love computers, talking face to face (on Skype) with grandchildren in Brasil or Asia, designing with my graphics programs, and, of course, posting on this blog. What I do miss is Otto - and I wouldn't mind being young again. But, as one of our not-too-bright governors of California once said, "I look forward to the future with anticipation."

If you would like to see a few more of poems, go to my newly restored website Dragonhaven.

13 comments:

anthonynorth said...

Great memories, and I loved the last line of the poem.

Lilibeth said...

I always am delighted to read your poems. They dance for me and I feel the special love you had for Otto.

Rinkly Rimes said...

I agree with Anthony North. That last line says it all. I wonder if it could be scientifically true? We all know the reality of the feeling even if, in many cases, the atoms don't dance for seventy years! Lucky you!

Old Egg said...

What a beautiful love poem. The snap of you in the pleated skirt and button up cardigan was a great reminder of the "Good Old Days."

First class post as usual.

Maggie May said...

You were a good looker! Still are come to that.
Your poetry is lovely.
No, I think we are better off in this world than the good old days....... health wise if nothing else.

Nuts in May

Anonymous said...

your poem is beautiful- breathtaking- and sings from your soul.
I love that you are on skype with your family abroad, and doing graphic designs. I believe you wake up every morning with the thought 'never say never'- how inspiring!!

Am glad to be back reading here again. I took a blog break from "bella mocha' then felt myself in need of a new home, so now blog at 'What I Know Now.' I hope you'll visit sometime.

Bella

http://bellasis.wordpress.com

Giggles said...

I never tire of your love story! I agree I love today's technology way too much to want to go back.

I'm with the mainstream on that last line....I think it exudes the passion of youth, and loved combined.
Just wonderful as always!

Hugs Giggles

Americanising Desi said...

Granyyyyyyyyyyy this is so so so beautiful and breath stopping!

wow!

i lovedddddddddddddd it just too much!

Good Ol' Days'

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

What a beautiful poem! I'm not a poetry person, so I don't say that lightly, either.

Anya Padyam said...

That is a beautiful poem!

loved the old pictures and reading abt the memories

Dee Martin said...

the poem and pictures - all wonderful. It's truly a gift to have a love that lasts a lifetime. I visited DragonHaven and enjoyed your poems and dragons very much. My Sunday Scribbling story is not very uplifting this time but maybe you will enjoy this one - it's about a dragon :)

http://www.delenemartin.com/?p=1443

Unknown said...

That poem is SO beautiful! Would you let me post it on my blog one day? Of course I would link right back to you, one of my favorite bloggers!

You were so beautiful in 1940. No more beautiful than you are now though. You are a treasure. I am so sorry for your loss.

Nishant said...

They dance for me and I feel the special love you had for Otto.

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