Elegy for Eunice
Most who might have mourned her
have followed or preceded her to dust.
Those few who still do,
think of her less often every year.
It is only in the fleeting moments
when beauty she might have appreciated
crosses our vision
or a song she once favored is heard
that a sweet pang of missing her
stabs into our busyness
and we remember
how she guided our footsteps,
taught us a gentle way with animals,
prodded us to attain more
and let us go.
This is an elegy to one we have forgotten
too easily and too soon.
One that calls her back to mind,
restores her to her rightful place.
My mother’s given name was Eunice Lydia, but we only ever knew her as Pat. For some reason,, in this elegy, I wanted to use her real name. No doubt she will wreak some revenge for this, so if things start going too wrong in my life, I will substitute her assumed name for the present title. The NaPoWriMo prompt today is to write an elegy.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
I loved the stylish integrity that you weave into this poem. Thanks for sharing! I started writing poetry on a daily basis after I lost my Father to pancreatic cancer in 2016 so can relate to how your blog started and also to how it has developed. I am from the UK but live in Switzerland and have also lived in several different countries. Lovely to connect on WordPress! Sam 🙂
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Thanks, Sam. So nice to meet you as well.
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I’m touched by this poem, the thought that people we loved gradually fade from memory into a little heap of dust. As long as there’s a memory, there’s a spark of life, I think.
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can’t find words enough to say how much I liked this elegy – beautifully compact and honestly moving – the image has resonance of the future dustiness
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An interesting comment on the photo, Laura. And thanks for the kind words about the elegy.
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I think a poem is the perfect way to be remembered, Judy. And I hope you don’t mind me saying, but gee, you look like your mother – something about the stance is so similar in the few photos I’ve seen of you as a young woman.
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Thank you, Reflections.
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Beautiful, poignant verse! But why ever did they call her “Pat”?
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Remi, Very nice … Why should she affect your life? You don’t do religion … right? Cheers Jamie
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Don’t do religion but do do fond memories of and appreciation for my mother.
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How quickly those memories are incorporated into our psyches after the person leaves us. And how quickly a memory can be sparked back into consciousness!
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A strong elegy for a strong woman. Look at this photo! 🙂 She looks like a determined Jennifer Jason Leigh. I can see where you get your fearlessness.
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Oh, I forgot to include my elegy, all 44 words of it. It has more to do with your recent post on death, even though I’ve only read it just now:
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