My Family's Pocket Watches
Photo by Amy LV
Students - Some of you may remember that my father died in August 2020. Since that time, I have slowly been going through many of his belongings, thinking about the past and my ancestors. I had my father's shirts made into quilts, am having a pile of broken jewelry made into a ring, and this week I made a display of these very old watches. I want to surround myself with reminders of who I am, not to leave precious stories hidden away.
In today's poem, the pocket watches come to light after years of darkness. Can you think of something in your life that has not seen the light in a long time? Perhaps an object, like a toy from when you were very little or an article of clothing that no longer fits but you have saved. Perhaps a feeling you have not felt in a long time. Try thinking about hidden things. And consider bringing one to light, either in real life or in a poem or story or piece of art. Let the hidden be seen.
As for the title of this poem, did you figure out that it is the message of the watches, one of the phrases I imagine them saying - Time is everything. I almost always title poems last, after a poem reveals to me what it wants to say. If you title your poems first, leave space to change your title afterward if you so choose.
And one revision note. I thought that this poem was finished. But when I read it aloud a final time, I changed one single word. In the third stanza, I had originally written I talk with them/sometimes. Somehow, changing talk to chat made the conversations feel more cozy and intimate. So I changed one single word to make a better poem.
Look at, read, and think carefully about every word. Each one matters.
Sylvia and Janet are hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup at Poetry for Children with a celebration of their delicious new anthology, THINGS WE EAT: A POETRY ANTHOLOGY FEATURING FOOD POEMS FROM A TO Z. Please know that all are welcome each Friday as folks share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship.
May you spend your time on what you most love.
xo,
Amy
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