A Return to Things

A Thing Long Absent

Hello everyone,

It’s been far too long. I’m dusting off my keyboard and getting back to sharing some writing here. I even hope to have a short story ready in time to post for Halloween next week.

We’ll see.

The Thing I’m sharing with you this week is a poem that snuck up on me. They do that sometimes. You’re going about your day and suddenly there’s this Thing sitting in your lap staring back at you with love in its eyes and its claws in your heart. So you decide to love it.

I should have known something like this one was stalking me though. It’s that time of year.

This is the season when the air chills our breath, traditions dictate that we speak of spirits, and everyone believes in ghosts a little more. We remember those who have passed and we sometimes pray to be haunted.

Yesterday, on Facebook, a memory popped up from several years ago. It was a selfie a friend had taken as we were on our way into a local radio station to promote a show we were working on together. It was jarring to see her face and read how excited she was. I could almost hear her voice hyping me up before we went on the air. The memory snatched my breath and pushed against my heart. But I was in public. Not the time or place to openly weep.

The thread of grief had been tugged and I felt myself unravel a little. Then this Thing was in front of me. Loving and sharp-clawed. I jotted it down, dried my eyes, and went to my last meeting for the day.

Here is a Thing for all of you and your remembered from me and all those whom I will never forget.

Thank you for all the Things,

-M.E.

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I hook my little finger into the memory of you
Like a balloon string
Like an empty teacup
On its way to be washed and put away
If it slips it could fly away
Or break

I hold tight
To the promises
That linger in fingers
Even after your hands
Are out of reach