Choose Before Me
from the drop-
down menu,
then Parents,
then Mother.
Place in your cart
her tomboy youth,
how she outplayed
the boys through long
summer days, cupped
in small palms fireflies
gathered by dusk, their
light mirroring her eyes.
Choose Memories,
then Family, then Father.
Add to your cart how he
carried you on his back,
danced you on his feet,
harvested the laden trees
to make crabapple jelly.
Choose Grandmother.
Place in your cart her
soft voice, arms around
you in the old rocker.
Choose Memories,
then Childhood.
Add to your cart your
innocent animal self,
believing you could fly,
cupping in small
palms vanishing fireflies
gathered by dusk.
Choose Memories,
then Pets, then Dogs.
In your cart place
her love of sticks,
the guilty smile
disclosing canine sin
you will soon discover.
Choose Cats.
Add to the cart his
weight on your lap,
how he nibbled your
fingers as you typed.
Choose Memories,
then Lovers, then
Missed Opportunities.
Place in your cart
the best parts
of just one.
Choose Acceptance,
then Everything.
Choose Time,
then Now, the
only available option.
Choose Here.
Continue shopping.
It is not yet time
to check out.
Meditatio Ephemera 
Most intriguing! Each stanza summons scenes I don’t often revisit but maybe should. Thank you for the nudge.
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You’re welcome, Jazz. I hope you have a peaceful, memorable holiday season!
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Love this poem.
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Thank you! Wishing happy holidays to you and yours!
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I love this one, Cate. What a beautiful, simply-‘modern’ way to lead one’s mind through the past, remembering and being thankful for those people and times that made you who you are. Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for the memories! -Russ
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You’re welcome, Russ! I’m grateful for your faraway friendship this Thanksgiving season, and wish you and yours memorably happy holidays.
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Oh thank you! What a pleasure! So unexpected on this day. I treasure this, Cate. So textured. Love these layers. Took me somewhere I didn’t know I needed to go. Thinking of Coal and Hemingway and your parents and all the people and animals who loved you, love you still. Like me.
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You’ve made my day by reminding me of the priceless memories we share — newsroom mischief, fast Eddie, the trip to California (and Macy’s — bread makers!) with you and Lisa, and so much more. Thanks for bringing that goodness to mind. Sending much love back east to you on this day after Thanksgiving, dear D’Arcy.
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