Souvenir Pois de Senteur
73
What is a souvenir? A simple definition is:
“A thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event.”
Whether souvenirs are actual 'things' or mere heartfelt mementos of romantic scenarios and encounters or of travels to exotic and haunting places, or even of brief memorable moments when we had accomplished things or been honored somehow, they become treasures of our hearts, and may be found among our keepsake treasure troves, even among our poetry.
Some souvenirs may be limp old report cards or autograph books from grade school, college yearbooks or faded valentines from long ago. Yellowing letters tied with ribbons, pressed flowers from a prom corsage, the program from a first-ever symphony performance: - precious reminders, whether in our mind’s eye or with actual evidence. Less tangible, a scent we loved when we were dating someone, or "our song" can qualify. The list is limitless.
I come from a long line of souvenir-savers. So remembering mine has stirred warm feelings. I think I'll indulge those. You're welcome to join me.
Were it not for memory
Morning's glory
Would be less dear.
The whiff of ecstasy
It brings on silken wings
Would be less real.
Its wistful history
Of those other springs,
Like drops of molten gold
I can view from here
Are the more precious
When kept near
In poignant memory
Among my souvenirs.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
Demis Roussos "From Souvenirs To Souvenirs"
The Old House
The end of this approaches.
This place, once mine,
Never to be the same again,
Though it will ever be as fine
To shine in memory,
Where seasons come 'round annually
And visions flow eternally.
You accept change graciously
As horizon swallows sun
At close of days.
Now you let me go
Gently toward my tomorrows
Toward unknown paths and ways.
And so ~
I'll take a souvenir of you.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
A cameo
Carved upon my memory
Of your own face
Is ever present, pleasant
Warm and golden,
Pale and cool,
Like you.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
Riddling Into Destiny
People come
And people go
Where they went
We may not know.
But when a person
Still abides
He is the sunrise
And the tides.
His voice is thunder,
His tears are rain.
He leaves but once,
Returns again.
His absence rips
All partial gain.
From distant worlds
His shadow rises
In quiet moments
His fragrance clings.
His look chastises.
But n'er to n'er
Will he become.
His name is on
A graven stone.
When it is time
He'll be revealed
Till then a mist
O'er hill and field.
A splash of light,
A glimpse of ALL
He'll rip asunder
In spring or fall.
A gentle one
In vivid hue,
He is yourself,
He is YOU.
He wants no longer
To be estranged
From sense of wonder,
Cold or heat.
He meets his destiny
From out of time.
And falls in place
At heaven's feet.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
The Web
Silken strands,
Filaments,
Interlaced loosely,
Sunburst-patterned,
Networking space
To partition void from void,
To connect place to place,
To capture nourishment.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
You may never pass this way again,
Along the beaches of my soul.
But footprints on my soul remain
In traces underlying
The shifting sands of time.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
Living every momentIs the true adventure,
Its own souvenir.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
Feel the now
Upon your cheek,
Upon your brow.
Listen to it effortlessly,
Touch, taste, smell ~
The real of it,
Enter into it ~ be it.
You never need
To steal it.
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
I think radially,
Seldom on a linear plane.
Why select one grain of sand
From all the shores
To understand the sea?
______© Nellieanna H. Hay
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Dear Snakeslane! Thank you! - I did enjoy this one, especially after I was able to scan and piece the antique print. It is longer than my scanner's window. I'd been wanting to use it and when I got it to work along with the idea for this hub, I was overjoyed! I'd been planning to use the Van Gogh, but it was much less inspiring. So the print set the pace for all of it. :-) Your comments cheer me up, too, my dear! Hugs!
I'm back to enjoy again, just thought I would let you know, thanks again Nellieanna, sometimes a person just needs to escape, and you provide a lovely venue.
Nellianna, This was a pleasure to read and look at. You always have managed to create beautiful words that match the visuals. :)
Vote up and beautiful!
People who treasure souvenirs are special and sweet,
Thank you Nellienna, for being one of that elite.
Beautiful thoughts, graphics and videos, my dear.
I'm delighted that you returned, Snakeslane! And how good to hear that it provides a needed refuge! That pleases me deeply. Hugs and thank you!
Marie - dear lady! It's a pleasure to see you and to thank you for a lovely comment! Truthfully, it's a toss-up most times which is created to match which! ;-) It's pretty much organic, I guess. Hugs. Thank you for the vote too!
DRBJ - I love your verse! So complimentary and fun! You always make your comments a delight to get and to read! Hugs. Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!!
Beautiful and endearing. What a gift you have given me to enjoy time and time again.
Sweethearts2 - how pleased I am to see you here! Thank you for the lovely compliment and I hope you will return again and again. I'm almost embarrassed to admit how many poetry hubs I've published (90 to date), in addition to many others. :-)
Living every moment
Is the true adventure,
Its own souvenir.
Oh, this was just lovely, the poetry, the music, and your reflections!
Lee B - Where have you been? On your ship? It's such a pleasure to see you now! I'm pleased that you listened to the music and enjoyed it, and of course that you liked the poetry! That little one suits you well. You're a perfect example of living every moment and the adventure that it is! Thank you so much. Hugs.
Just can't seem to summon the motivation to do any hub pages writing these days, but I still check in to see what's going on. Living every moment IS my goal, but I don't always succeed, unfortunately. I don't know how you do it!
Glad you do check in, Lee! One thing about living every moment, Whatever we do, it happens one way or the other! Taking an active role in them surely makes it more exciting than just letting them just slip by.
How I do it? Well - maybe being aware that I've only 20 years till my minimal goal of living every moment up till 100 years spurs me along, perhaps. ;-)
I collect a lot of souvenirs. I have scrapbooks where I keep programs from my concerts/shows and cards from birthdays/Christmas. I have photograph albums. I collect books, vinyl records, movies - oh, lots of things. Your poem about your cameo, reminds me that I a few cameos that had been my grandmother's.
Flora, we have much in common, then - cameos (including the one my Dad gave mother when they married in 1917 and the one my George gave me), books (I've run out of space even with bookcases everywhere!), vinyl records (and CDs), movies - and many mementos from every interest I've ever had, and there have been many! I love scrapbooks and photo albums, too. You know, when my mother, who was possibly older than your grandmother, looked around at all her collections and beloved clutter, she said "I love everything I see." It was an intriguing home in which to grow up.
I'm so very pleased that you came by and shared some of your souvenirs. Thank you. Hugs.
Beautiful pictures, most awesome poems and the music are beyond beautiful. Especially this time of the year I travel down memory lane and appreciate all the souvenirs in my showcase. Thanks, Nellieanna, spending time in your corner always delights me.
Dear Martie! When you spend some time in my corner, that always delights me! I know what you mean about this time of year. Yes, it is a season for precious memories! Hugs and I wish you the best of them!
Nellieanna, Your hubs have always left me dumbfounded by their sheer beauty and the way of presentation so unique to you Mam'. It may sound hackneyed but I will always say that I associate you with First Class. Always in appreciation of the content and the way of presentation, MAKUSR
Oh, my, Makusr, what lovely compliments. I am always in appreciation of your comments, which feel really sincere and do me great honor. Thank you. Makes my day! Hugs.
You have again arranged a most magnificient hub with your beautiful poetry and pictures. Nellianna, you gave me so much pleasure. Thank you.
Dear Hello, hello! You lovely comments give me joy. I'm deeply gratified that you enjoy my work! Hugs.
Best wishes Nellieanna, for the peace, beauty and art which timelessly springs from your heart and soul in this New Year of 2012. I have never before seen the lovely Van Gogh image displayed nor heard this delicious slice if Tchiakovsky. They provide lovely borders for your noistalgic words for those of us who love to stroll the beaches of your soul with soft footsteps.
Thank you, Gerry! I love the Van Gogh and the Tchiakovsky too! Thank you for strolling along with me! And wishes for your wonderful 2012. ~ Hugs.
The Video from Souvenirs to Souvenirs moved me so, I loved the tempo, beat and melody. Then to add another of my favorite composers Tchiakovsky was simply sublime. My dear you are such a brilliant and gifted poet. This is in my opinion one of your masterpieces. "Riddling Into Destiny" Thank you again for sharing your genius with us, I am simply humbled by your words and at the same time so happy to enjoy and relish in them. Hugs
Ken - I'm so happy that you noticed and liked the music. Gives me an excuse to come listen to the selections again myself, as well as to see the gorgeous background photos in them.
I was swept away with Demis Roussos and his "From Souvenirs to Souvenirs". It's become a favorite of mine now. And the Tchaikovsky - oh, my! Florence is such a magical place. I've not been there but my stepson has been there several times and has brought me lovely souvenirs from there. I feel its magic. The movie "A Room With A View" is partly set there and, again - magic. Other movies I love have it as a background. No wonder! The great art masters were there. As it's said, it is the cradle of Wesern Civilization.
It was such a pleasure to include that in my humble hub. How pleased I am that you like it! Thank you, dear friend!
Stopping by one of your hubs and taking a moment to read your elegant writing is on par with stumbling on a well groomed garden. Your hubs are an invitation to indulge your imagination.
Mike, that is high praise! I'm so pleased and flattered that you stopped by and enjoyed meandering through this hub! I guess indulging my own imagination is part of my hubs' raison d'être. It's gratifying if it provides it for others, for which there is a standing invitation.
Thank you for your lovely comments.
"Why select one grain of sand
From all the shores
To understand the sea?"
Nellieanna, you are such a wonderful and creative writer! I sure would like to live in this garden you call your hubpage a little longer so that I can wander around the world while learning. I am so glad I found you fellow hubber! Very impressive, voting this up!
DONNA - Thank you! I'm truly glad we found each other, too. Hugs.
snakeslane Level 7 Commenter 5 months ago
Dear Nellieanna, you have tapped into such a joyful place, you always cheer me up! Thank you, snakeslane