Intro to Community Week: Remembrance and Memorial

[poetree_admin]

November commemorates. From rituals of remembrance to those of harvest, we make honored space for death as part and apart from life.

As our dead are especially present this month, our community themed week this week focuses on remembrance. Let's introduce each other to those we carry with us. Let's make a kind and listening space for the absences that shape (and sometimes shake) us.


Monday: alee_grrl: November Remembrances

Tuesday: ysabetwordsmith: veterans and war memorials, Poem: Written in Stone

Wednesday: bookblather: Poem: Death Sucks: A Sonnet Cycle, by Jo Walton

Thursday: raze: Exploring The Rainbow Bridge

Friday: cadenzamuse: In Memoriam: Cards, Words, Pomegranates

Saturday: kaberett and jjhunter: Collaborative Poem: branches reaching deep into the earth

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Last edited 11/24/13 by alee_grrl

November Remembrances

[alee_grrl]

In the northern hemisphere November is a time when the days darken earlier and shadows seem more prevalent. This can make it easier for our personal demons to trouble us. As the holidays approach we often feel our losses more deeply. For many people I know November is a time for remembrance and memorial. Whether it is remembering their dearly departed on All Saints Day/Dios de los Muertos, remembering Veteran's and the cost of war on Armistice/Veteran's Day, or remembering holiday seasons past be they good or bad. For me personally it is a mix of all these things, plus the annual memorial that is my birthday, mixed with the anniversary of a dreadful storm that I witnessed as a child.. Most would not think of birthdays as memorials, but in the sense that it is a day for remembering and contemplating the past I find that birthdays are the ultimate memorial. I felt it fitting that I start our week on remembrance and memorial since today is my birthday.

It is a month that always makes me think of the past and the many uncertain associations that I have with the month. It is also a time for me to reflect on the positive things that have come into my life, and the wonders of friendship and love that I've experienced as I've grown older. I wanted to write a poem that captured this mix of feelings and contemplation. I am going to put the poem under a cut as it may contain some triggering material for folks. For all the darkness and rawness contained in the poem, I did try to end on a lighter more hopeful tone. Also, for those interested the storm referred to was one that hit the Shreveport, LA area on November 15, 1987. It spawned several tornadoes, including the F3 that essentially went right over our heads.

Feedback and constructive criticism is always welcome. I also welcome people to share in the comments what they remember this month.

( So trigger warning: poem contains themes of child abuse, domestic violence, neglect, PTSD, and rather detailed description of a natural disaster and the related shock )