d’Verse – A box of poems #poetry

Uncategorized 1 Minute

Kim’s d’Verse challenge is as follows: Your challenge today is to write a poem about your own metaphorical box. It doesn’t necessarily have to be about a relationship, but I would like it to be autobiographical, free verse, and in three stanzas similar to those in Clarke’s poem: the first stanza describes the box; the second what is in it; and the third where you keep it, with a summarising list in the final two lines.

You can find out more about the challenge and join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2024/04/09/a-box-of-poems/

My box

My box is made of cardboard

It is battered, well-loved, and a bit torn

It held the carrycot I chose with love

When my oldest son was born

It holds pieces of my mother’s heart

My most treasured possessions

Priceless to me, but valueless to others

Thus, I see no need to lock it

***

My bulging box is over stuffed

With memories – good and unhappy

Hospital bracelets from tiny wrists,

photographs – even an eco-friendly nappy

My oldest son’s outstanding report cards

A recording of his walk towards the sun

My younger boy’s paintings and drawings

He and I have enjoyed days of artistic fun

***

This shabby box full of objects of love

Cards declaring “I love you mother”

In block letters formed by determined hands

Reminders to let go; love shouldn’t smother

First on my list of items to save

Should there ever be a home fire

When I’m gone, I hope these cherished items

Will continue to comfort and inspire

I painted this Mediterranean scene for my aunt for her 89th birthday in January this year. She loves birthday cards.
Unknown's avatar

Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

Published

75 thoughts on “d’Verse – A box of poems #poetry”

  2. Another cardboard box, this time battered and well-loved, Roberta, which is a hint at the contents and the frequency with which you open it. I love these lines:

    ‘My bulging box is over stuffed
    With memories – good and unhappy
    Hospital bracelets from tiny wrists,
    photographs – even an eco-friendly nappy’

    and

    ‘Cards declaring “I love you mother”
    In block letters formed by determined hands’.

    From this prompt I have learnt that, although we come from different parts of the world, we are all very similar when it comes to boxes! Children and pets love to play with them and in them, and we keep our dearest possessions in them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. this is a wonderfully warm and well crafted trio of poems, Robbie: I just noticed the ‘quiet’ rhymes; it is the family details that make these poems so vivid; and I loved the birthday card painting — it is light and whimsical — I am sure your aunt will love it 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. I love the watercolor. The shutter could be an impressionist keyboard. Its funny about the boxes. Some people bundle their memories, put the lid on tight, stuff it to the back top corner of a seldom used linen closet in their mind and that was yesterday. Maybe they’ll dust it off just before they depart. Others, the box is overstuffed, open on the coffee table or appropriated for projects dining room or kitchen table, or in an open cedar chest twice as old as they are that imparts the fragrance of memories to everything inside. And some will live their perceived unpretty lives in the pretty pictures because to see outside the box is only to turn away and return to what’s inside. Oh well, waxed heavy enough for one day. Great post!

    Like

    Reply

  20. I love the way you’ve described your boxes, so similar to mine. Yes, they are precious for us and those cards that were painted by our children are a treasure! Yours for your aunt is also beautifully done, Robbie.

    Like

    Reply

  24. the main thing you store in that cardboard box is love.

    Photographs are usually the first thing grabbed when disaster strikes. You’ll grab this box first I bet Robbie.

    Love the drawing for your Aunt!

    Like

    Reply

  27. It funny that one of my close friends and I were just talking about this subject yesterday. She just remarried after being widowed for several years. Her new husband, a widower, has a home that stores 18 boxes of youthful memories of his children’s childhoods. Now he wants to sell the house, and it is so hard for him to give it up. When we sold our home almost four years ago, his fifty-year-old son had the chore of cleaning out the boxes that his father had stored for all those years of his things. Yesterday Vince said, “I finally had to let them go. Most of them were his memories and not mine. He had to make the decision.” We moved enough, that I don’t think my mom kept much of my things. A few years ago my brother gave me my old yearbooks that I didn’t even know he had. It was a treasure I hadn’t cared about at the time, but I was glad he saved them. That’s not as personal as the treasures you shared, but we need to remember our pasts, and eventually own them.

    Like

    Reply

  28. Robbie, I adore your “homely” collection of cherished items that you keep in the battered box. It being first on the list to grab if a fire happened says it all. 

    Like

    Reply

  30. Robbie, I really love how, despite its worn appearance, your box is overflowing with love and serves as a reminder of the joys and challenges of parenthood. That’s so YOU!

    ~David

    Like

    Reply

  32. A box to be cherished. Such a lovely poem, and this line especially captivated me,

    ‘Cards declaring “I love you mother”
In block letters formed by determined hands’. ❤️

    Like

    Reply
  33. Pingback: Y3 Story Chat Summary #13: “In Search of Light” by Miriam Hurdle – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

Leave a reply to msjadeli Cancel reply