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The Name We Leave
When we first breathe and start to peer,
What we will be is still unclear.
A book of pages yet unturned
Is what we are when we appear.
Whether assigned, purloined, or earned,
And when a standing time has burned,
The name revealed on every page
Will be critiqued, adored, or spurned.
We hope that when we leave the stage,
By early death or withered age,
The reputation left behind
Is one of kindness, not of rage.
.
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Reminiscing
The vinyl record lies untouched
__And wears a coat of dust.
For many years, no hands have clutched
To play the songs of lovers crushed,
Poetic lines that speak of trust
__And life that is unjust.
A man sits down to rest his bones;
__His day at work was hard.
He shuts his eyes, which seem like stones,
To chase away his aches and groans,
But feels a pain he can’t discard,
__For life has dealt his card.
He fondly starts to reminisce
__And sees himself with her.
He longs to feel her tender kiss,
To bask in years of wedded bliss,
To breathe her jasmine mixed with myrrh—
__His heart begins to stir.
His teary eyes allow a glance
__At where the record lies.
Recalling how they loved to dance
Beneath a moonlit night’s expanse
And gaze beyond adoring eyes,
__He sighs her name and cries.
He reaches for and plays a song
__To hear her words once more.
His mind takes flight and treks along
The paths they took when they were strong—
The mornings walking on the shore,
__Where love for her, he swore.
He hears the voice that crowns her words—
__A healing song of glee.
Like arias of rhythmic birds,
It balms his heart of shattered thirds,
Unshackling pain to set it free,
__As if she heard his plea.
.
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Angel L. Villanueva is a poet and a USPS mail carrier residing in Massachusetts.
The first poem, ‘The Name We Leave’ is the type of poem I wish we’d had in our school books. Its simple in structure and profound in message and would generate a good classroom discussion.
As for ‘Reminiscing’, is that a grain of dust in my eye.
Thanks for the reads, Angel.
Thank you, Paul. I appreciate your expression. No doubt, reading and analyzing poems dealing with such a topic as reputation while in school during the early years would make for very good and lively discussions that would leave lasting impressions.
I think there was a grain of dust in my eye too while writing ‘Reminiscing’.
What a precious love you express… thank you for beautifully sharing such intimacy!
Thank you, Peg!
wow both great poems. The stories told and the fluidity of the verses blend beautifully.
I’m glad you enjoyed reading them. Thank you for your kind comment.
I wrote a letter to my grandson this past year with the theme that the most valuable thing in life is his reputation. “Reminiscing” is one of those precious poems with the beautiful image of an old vinyl record carried through to the need to hear it once again. I love both poems very much, Angela.
You have shared words of wisdom with your grandson, which he will likely remember as he travels on the road of life.
Seeing old vinyl records often brings back fond memories from decades ago. Thank you, Roy.
Bravo to Kindness over Rage. If such a weapon seems insipid, consider this: if Rage converts you, then you’ll end up in prison. This is not insipid or boring.
Thank you!
Both excellent! Reminiscing, brings back precious memories of my mother and father, separated by death for twenty years.
Being able to keep and retrieve wonderful memories is a gift I very much appreciate. Often, it is what holds us together when facing challenging times. Thank you, Phil.
Thank you for these two very well written and enjoyable poems Angel.
Thank you, Norma!
I love both poems, Angel, and I second Mr. Freeman’s words: if only your poem “The Name We Leave” was in our school syllabus. “Reminiscing” has deeply touched me because I am fond of such soft-toned poems on longing and heartbreak, and this is indeed one of those pieces that I know I’ll re-read time and again. I’m a big admirer of your work. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for your kind expression, Shamik. I very much appreciate it. I, too, am fond of poems that touch on the emotional part of what we experience in life. A good amount of what I write is about such. Thanks again!
Ever since you first published on these pages, Angel, I have noticed that your poems are always thoughtful, and induce thoughtfulness into the reader. These might be the best examples of that so far. Every poem you write makes me feel like I’m moving into a new house. Stick around.
Thank you for your gracious and very encouraging comment, C.B.! It’s something I appreciate.
Two very readable poems. Anyone who’s been bereaved will respond to “Reminiscing.”
Thank you, David!
Angel, I think both of these poems are quite beautiful and heartfelt. They each touched me in different ways emotionally. Your use of language is sensitive and just so right. I also love your skillful use of rhyme. Very fine work!
I am pleased you like them both, Brian. Thank you so much!
Angel, these are wonderful, and have already repaid several readings. “The Name We Leave” slips from the image of a baby as a book, to the image of his name burned on every page of his life, as THE word to which others will respond. Isn’t it the truth that the name conjures up the person! In that central stanza you allude to the self-creation of name and reputation when you say it is assigned, purloined, or earned. This says to think about ways the name develops.
“Reminiscing” may be the loveliest elegy I’ve seen, in its very special, workingman’s way. He’s a sensitive man who longs “to breathe her jasmine mixed with myrrh,” both beautiful scents, one signifying youth and the other death. And how is it they loved to “gaze beyond adoring eyes”? Both looking at the moon? Into one another’s heart and soul? And how does he hear her words by playing the record–which seems to be an “our song” rather than a recording of her voice? He must recall what she said while they listened together. But then he does hear “the voice that crowns her words,” in some kind of truly perceptible locution, “as if she heard his plea.” You’ve described the indescribable–and I haven’t mentioned every special touch I feel in this poem.
You are so right, Margaret. A name will often bear the character of the person who carries it, as opposed to just a title, which would not really convey or capture everything that makes the individual.
I love your analysis of ‘Reminiscing’! For each of the lines you mention, I had envisioned similar scenarios while writing them and in attempting to capture a romantic, though melancholy, mood. You are so kind and thoughtful in your expressions. Thank you!