I put little knick knacks on the slots
rearranging this way and that way
that mis-shapen shell stares at me
an ugly little thing
left in a oubliette
I can't throw it away
a gift from a stranger
on a sunny day at beach
I put it back in the niche-
smile at it; remembering
something long forgotten
Reminds me a bit of Viccus' homemade gifts in District 9! I agree, they are the best. Intimate, even when not the most beautiful or seemly, they carry the love of the giver. Lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely!
ReplyDeleteYes, this tells me for sure that Poetry for you is a way of living, it comes out of nowhere and you have to write it down.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely brilliant, Gautami..lucky to have read it..It would perhpas be the most special and unique take on the prompt..
Lovely poem! It is the thought that counts sometimes especially from a stranger.
ReplyDeletePamela
Beautifully put!
ReplyDeleteMemories are often stored in the most unlikely places.
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand it is hard to throw away a gift, even if it is a small thing that has little use. Someone thought to give it to you, thus it keeps its importance. And in your poem's case, it brought back memories which was the best gift of all.
ReplyDeletehttp://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/06/gift.html
Excellent, as always.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the giver would be very pleased that you still have this gift!
ReplyDeletehttp://troublebeingstrong.blogspot.com/2010/06/let-me-speak.html
does is still echoe thememory of the moment, love this, always, have to sign in anonymous, blogger is not letting me be me,ha!
ReplyDeleteLorraine
Gautami,
ReplyDeleteIt is true that at times we can not throw away things which others may term as trash because those carry fond memories.
Take care
Ahhh, Guatami. Another lovely, heart-felt poem for us to bask in. Thank you for stepping into your memory and allowing us to come alongside you.
ReplyDeleteRead my Gift poem here.
Memory is such a slippery thing, here then gone. You remind us of our need to hang on to those things that prompt us to remember. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Your words express perfectly how it's the thought behind the gift that means the most to us. Beautifully put!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteNot sad yet touched!
I also have that feeling Gautami, that it was hard to throw back even just a simple wrapper of a gift from a very special person...:)
ReplyDeleteVery nice take!!! Loved it!
Little untoward things sometimes carry more love than large, beautiful nothings. Thank you, Gautami.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the asymmetry creates its own beauty, true? Enjoyed this relaxing take on the prompt! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue with throwing away the smallest gift even though some of mine come without a recallable memory. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a little gem of a poem. Thankyou for the thought behind it.
ReplyDeleteNicely done :)
ReplyDeletehttp://thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com
It is amazing how a small rememberence can bring back and refresh memories. I sometimes pick up a small rock or pebble from a place I travel in the world, saving them in a jar. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteHi Tami ~~ Your gift received on the beach reminds me of a carved bird we got from a man on the beach at Saint Lucia, an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out the gift was 'for sale' and the fellow wanted a dollar which we gave him.
Like your poet, I haven't thrown it away either. Is it a bad luck thing to throw away a gift?
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A lovely poem. Sometimes it's nice to remember things long forgotten.
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