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Ode To My White Handkerchief, Stained Now, Message Pristine

The hankie mother lovingly stitched
In time for my Holy Communion
Was unspotted and blindingly white
To represent my conscientious union

With my God, the only One,
Whose daughter I am, regardless

It’s for catching each joyful tear, Mother
Said. And to remind me of my purity–
Purity of words, thoughts, and deeds
Not only for me but for my brethren

Lace handkerchief: Image1 by blooming from Pixabay 

I’m first a daughter of God
And must strive for goals that mirror
To be as present as God and selfless;
A bright li’l light to shine, regardless

My goals have not swayed too far
My handkerchief is witness to that–
On the day I exchanged wedding vows
They held the rings: emblems of love

Stains will appear to mar its whiteness,
Mother said. Age and life take care of that
As long as its message I remember,
Its pure standards remain intact

Embroidered handkerchiefs: Image by Kristy Marett from Pixabay 

My hanky represents my consciousness
To live a life of purpose
No matter where life might take me
This world’s daughter I am, regardless

© selma


Written for David’s W3 Prompt #46: Wea’ve Written Weekly Posted on 
where the PoM this week is Michelle Ayon Navajas. Congratulations!

Michelle’s prompt guidelines

  1. Take out your handkerchief (yes, the one in your pocket right now- no cheating).
    • Remember that during the Renaissance period, a handkerchief was
      considered to be a powerful symbol of a woman. Giving this item to a
      woman meant true love, honesty, commitment, and righteousness.
  2. If by chance you don’t have a handkerchief, explore your creative side and
    imagine you are holding one right now.
  3. Write an ode to your handkerchief (or make-believe handkerchief). Make it sound
    like a love ode.

My ode is of spiritual love and I hope this is not a down putter. FYI, I do indeed have
this handkerchief in my possession. It has surely seen better days– of course, we do
not remain spring chicks forever. But our values can!

In Japan, where I reside, everyone carries handkerchiefs. Some are small soft towelettes perfect for summers when sweat appears on one’s brow, others, much larger, are used
as napkins on laps, or for drying hands after a good wash. Imagine the number of trees
that saves! I think it’s good practice. And then, of course, versatile bandanas. Do you
carry a handkerchief? Do you even remember what those things are? hehe.

Anyway, I’m glad this prompt brought me here to share this part of my life with you. A
great prompt. Thanks.

Thanks for reading, and as always, I wish you miracles.

Lace handkerchief: Image1 by blooming from Pixabay 
Embroidered handkerchiefs: Image by Kristy Marett from Pixabay 

 

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 42 Comments

  1. Sadje

    A very feeling set of poems Selma.

    1. Selma Martin

      Hey, Sadje. I think you once told me you view posts on your phone most of the times, Well, today I didn’t do this right: tried the darn pattern design for the first time. It looked well on PC, but afterwards when I checked on my phone it was all muddled. Gosh, terrible. Sorry you got to see that. Thanks for being here to support me always. I bless you.

      1. Sadje

        That’s okay my friend we all do that at one time or another.

  2. michnavs

    Wow, this had me teared up Selma. You did not just wrote a beautiful ode to your hanky; but you walked us through your life as a loving daughter of God and i could honestly feel it in every syllable, in every word.

    Your mother must be very proud of what you had become since the day she stitched your white communion hanky.

    Thank you for sharing not just your lovely ode but a great part of your life.

    P. S.

    Your commentary struck me the most too. Yes, i guess we should all carry a hanky, if we want to help save nature.

    1. Selma Martin

      Mich, did you view this on laptop or phone? I just viewed it on phone and it is a reverent MESS. I used PATTERN design for the first time– it looked well from PC, but now that I view it on phone not so. I will delete it and try it again. Thanks for making a little sense from this. I will repost.

      1. michnavs

        Yeah, i opened it from my laptop.

        1. Selma Martin

          Thanks, Mich. glad it was laptop 👏 great prompt

          1. michnavs

            Let me see how it goes on my phone now..

  3. memadtwo

    I can feel the spirit in your words.
    I do not carry one, but I have some that have memories attached as keepsakes. (K)

    1. Selma Martin

      Memories as keepsake. Nice. Thanks for the comment, K. XoXo

  4. Kathryn LeRoy

    I do indeed remember hankies, and have them neatly folded and treasured in a drawer. What if we all began carrying one again? I think I will pull mine out of hiding. My husband does carry one on occasion, and it has wiped my tears and passed to me in those moments with so much love. Your words unearthed a heap of memories.

  5. Belladonna

    Wow!!!! Selma this was absolutely beautiful, It’s too early for to cry, I have work to do.

          1. paeansunplugged

            What a beautiful, moving write, Selma! Such a heartfelt ode! Xoxo

            1. Selma Martin

              You are sweet for saying. Thanks, dearly. I bless you.

  6. D. Avery @shiftnshake

    That is such a beautiful poem, I appreciate what the hanky represents in this ode. I also appreciate the wise mother. The message is spiritual but Grounded.

    1. Selma Martin

      Glad you saw that, D. Yes. She made it beautiful. Thanks for reading and commenting.

  7. Michele Lee

    Selma, you have personally and skillfully developed the idea of symbolism in your beautiful poem. Marvelous work!

    1. Selma Martin

      Symbolism. Yes. Glad for this comment. Thanks, Michele Lee. Blessings.

  8. Ingrid

    Congrats on staying true to your purpose, Selma! I haven’t carried a handkerchief since primary school!

    1. Selma Martin

      This is natural. And we modern people don’t NEED handkerchiefs. They’re of a forgotten piece of cloth. Xoxo

  9. Jeff Flesch

    That’s an amazingly powerful and beautiful poem, Selma. xoxo

    1. Selma Martin

      Jeff, my friend. So happy to know you liked this ode to my hankie… hehe. Thank you. I bless you.

      Requesting permission to send you an email. Is it ok? It’s concerning a point I made in my pen pal newsletter…

  10. Tanmay Philip

    A symbol of Communion, you brought out a whole new and wonderful dimension to a handkerchief. There is grace and beauty in your poem.

    1. Selma Martin

      You saw the symbolism I attempted. Thanks so much. And thanks for seeing grace and beauty there too. YOur words empower me. Thanks so much. Blessing you.

  11. This is really beautiful, Selma, and it’s lovely how that hanky can hold such great significance. xo

    1. Selma Martin

      Lauren, dear one. Thanks. So glad you came to read this one. Sending you good vibes to bless all your endeavors. I’m sure you must be busy. Stay sweet.

  12. murisopsis

    Selma I love the symbolism imbued in the little white hankie!!

    1. Selma Martin

      Aww, dear friend. Thanks for loving that part. The little white hankie has ‘lived a life with me’ Thanks for reading and commenting. I bless you.

  13. ben Alexander

    Selma ~ this is unreal! Is it true? Do you still have it? Wow…

    <3
    David

    1. Selma Martin

      Ain’t it somethin’ — it’s all Mom’s doing. She saved the hankie for two decades, presenting it to me to use on my wedding day. For the rings! After that, I’ve had it in a drawer. That and a little pouch she stitched for my wedding.
      Is this hoarding, you think? 🤣
      And my finding symbolism in everything— inherited that from Mom (r.i.p) To your question: yes, it is true!

    1. Selma Martin

      Much obliged. Will see what I can pluck from that place whence words and inspiration comes. Xoxo blessing you.

  14. Bridgette

    What a beautiful poem about connection and our place in the world. I love the symbolism.

    1. Selma Martin

      I am so glad you red and liked the symbolism, dear Bridgette. Blessings on your evening. xoxo

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