Friday, January 27, 2017

Daughter Moving--By Peggy Dugan French--United States

Daughter Moving

The days when we would happily bounce around town together are long gone.  Now we get brief snippets of time we gobble up like hungry beasts.  Then we return to the rhythm of long-distance phone calls and occasional four-day visits in whatever town you call home.  We manage to keep our bond tight knowing we are both where we need to be, doing what we need to be doing.  But today, packing up the car once again, I find myself aching for some of those carefree moments of youth we once shared. I would love to hear the clip-clop of plastic heels on the kitchen floor just one more time and catch a glimpse of days long past when we strode side by side effortlessly, smiles broad and free.

last dish in the cupboard
dreaded farewell upon us
smell of fresh paint in every corner

Peggy Dugan French is a California girl with Minnesota roots. She has enjoyed being the editor of Shemom since 1997. She has worn many hats over the years, but being a Mom has been one of her greatest adventures; she’s had the pleasure of sharing that journey with her best friend.

16 comments:

  1. Dear Peggy,
    I love the way your poems hit us where we live. This one exemplifies that tendency.
    Thank you,
    Michael

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    1. Dear Michel,
      Thank you so much for your kind words, I apprecaite them so much.
      Best Regards,
      Peggy

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  2. I am moved. I can smell the paint...see the cupboard...and my gut tenses at the dreaded farewell. Thank you, Peg.

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    1. Thank you Fran, glad I could move you with my words!!!!

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  3. Peggy,
    These memories remind me of the old song "Those Were the days" It starts off: "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end, we'd sing and dance forever and a day..." Don't remember the rest, but you might be able to find it on the Internet if you don't remember the song. (I don't even know who sang it, we learned in chorus class, way back when I was ion grammar school...
    ?Yours truly,
    David Fox

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    1. Thanks David, I remember the song...best to you. Peggy

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  4. Peggy, the whole piece is beautiful. What especially made my heart jump was the clip clop of heals, those plastic get ups for queens and princesses, that brought a flood of memories of Sierra in a crown. well said my friend!
    Debbie

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    1. Thanks Deb, ah yes….the princess days, weren’t they super special for the girls and us! Thanks for the kind words :)

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  5. Now this touches home with me. I like the prose setting and especially that you end the poem with 3 lines of imagery of feelings.

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    1. Thanks Barbara for your kind words, so glad you enjoyed it!

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  6. Your work conveys a strong sense of nostalgia. It's beautiful. This is something like a haibun.

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  7. as always, the bestest from peggy dugan french...

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  8. Very good Peggy, I relate more to this by watching my mother and three sisters, brining to mind many comical memories. Thanks for sharing.
    Yancy

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