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
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
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
- 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.
- Remember that during the Renaissance period, a handkerchief was
- If by chance you don’t have a handkerchief, explore your creative side and
imagine you are holding one right now. - 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
- Day 23: NaPoWriMo 2024–The Superheroic Prompt - April 23, 2024
- Day 22: NaPoWriMo 2024–I’m a Lover, Not A Fighter - April 22, 2024
- Day 21: NaPoWriMo 2024– Grays Before Blues Before Mauves - April 21, 2024
A very feeling set of poems Selma.
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.
That’s okay my friend we all do that at one time or another.
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.
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.
Yeah, i opened it from my laptop.
Thanks, Mich. glad it was laptop 👏 great prompt
Let me see how it goes on my phone now..
I can feel the spirit in your words.
I do not carry one, but I have some that have memories attached as keepsakes. (K)
Memories as keepsake. Nice. Thanks for the comment, K. XoXo
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.
A heap. I can see it clearly. Beautiful. Xoxo.
Wow!!!! Selma this was absolutely beautiful, It’s too early for to cry, I have work to do.
No crying. 😆 smile, sweetie. Xoxo
It’s your fault! 😫🤣🤣
🥹😍
What a beautiful, moving write, Selma! Such a heartfelt ode! Xoxo
You are sweet for saying. Thanks, dearly. I bless you.
My pleasure. 🙏🏼
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.
Glad you saw that, D. Yes. She made it beautiful. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Selma, you have personally and skillfully developed the idea of symbolism in your beautiful poem. Marvelous work!
Symbolism. Yes. Glad for this comment. Thanks, Michele Lee. Blessings.
So lovely Selma 💞
Thanks most sincerely. Blessings.
Congrats on staying true to your purpose, Selma! I haven’t carried a handkerchief since primary school!
This is natural. And we modern people don’t NEED handkerchiefs. They’re of a forgotten piece of cloth. Xoxo
That’s an amazingly powerful and beautiful poem, Selma. xoxo
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…
A symbol of Communion, you brought out a whole new and wonderful dimension to a handkerchief. There is grace and beauty in your poem.
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.
This is really beautiful, Selma, and it’s lovely how that hanky can hold such great significance. xo
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.
Selma I love the symbolism imbued in the little white hankie!!
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.
Selma ~ this is unreal! Is it true? Do you still have it? Wow…
<3
David
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!
Selma ~ I just wanna let you know that this week’s W3 prompt, hosted by our beloved Punam Sharma, is now live:
https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/03/22/w3-prompt-47-weave-written-weekly/
Enjoy <3
David
Much obliged. Will see what I can pluck from that place whence words and inspiration comes. Xoxo blessing you.
*hug*
What a beautiful poem about connection and our place in the world. I love the symbolism.
I am so glad you red and liked the symbolism, dear Bridgette. Blessings on your evening. xoxo