Lilacs and Love
"Nothing says spring like a lilac breeze,"
Mom closed her eyes, smiled, and sighed.
The scent would come drifting in,
with curtains billowing and windows wide.
My mother gathered them by the armful,
bunches of lilac blooms with a fragrance that was heaven sent.
She took them to my grandma every Mother's Day,
sharing her love, showing her gratitude,
knowing how much it meant.
She loved lilacs too, my mother did,
and she was glad we had plenty to spare.
It doubled her joy for them, I think,
knowing she was able to share.
Grandma would bury her nose in the lilacs,
and breathe in the heady scent too.
She arranged them carefully in a milk glass vase,
and there was one thing I always knew.
Grandma loved me, and my mom did too,
so fierce and wide and deep.
Remembering those lilacs they shared
is a memory I'll always keep.
Forever the sight of a lilac bush,
or the hint of its fragrance in the air,
will remind me of those two ladies before me,
who had lilacs and love to spare.
* * * * *
"Nothing says spring like a lilac breeze,"
Mom closed her eyes, smiled, and sighed.
The scent would come drifting in,
with curtains billowing and windows wide.
My mother gathered them by the armful,
bunches of lilac blooms with a fragrance that was heaven sent.
She took them to my grandma every Mother's Day,
sharing her love, showing her gratitude,
knowing how much it meant.
She loved lilacs too, my mother did,
and she was glad we had plenty to spare.
It doubled her joy for them, I think,
knowing she was able to share.
Grandma would bury her nose in the lilacs,
and breathe in the heady scent too.
She arranged them carefully in a milk glass vase,
and there was one thing I always knew.
Grandma loved me, and my mom did too,
so fierce and wide and deep.
Remembering those lilacs they shared
is a memory I'll always keep.
Forever the sight of a lilac bush,
or the hint of its fragrance in the air,
will remind me of those two ladies before me,
who had lilacs and love to spare.
* * * * *
This poem is from the book, Old Broads Waxing Poetic, copyright © 2014 Julie Kemp Pick and Susan Flett Swiderski.
This poem is a repost. There are several new readers here who haven't seen this, so I am posting it, with apologies to those readers who have followed my blog for a while and remember it. I hope you don't mind a rerun.
Above is a photo from about 35 years ago of my mom on the left, my grandmother in the middle, and me on the right.
Happy Mother's Day to all!
So beautiful and what sweet memories you have to last a lifetime. Happy Mother's Day Connie.
ReplyDeleteHi Connie, I love reading the poem and seeing the picture of you all. It's a precious poem and a lovely tribute to your Mom and grandmother. I wish you a wonderful Mother's Day. It's a joy to know you and your family. xo
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day to you!. I love lilacs (outside)!
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
this poem is worthy of a re-post every year. I breathed in deep and could smell the lilacs and feel the love...nice tribute and great pic!
ReplyDeleteLove this poem! I would like to smell a lilac now lol. Precious photo, thanks for the rerun
ReplyDeletei really like this and the photo! my mom used to wear a perfume that was either lilac or violets - such memories.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so sweet... like the lilacs!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joanne. This poem should be a Mother's Day standard. It's as sweet as a bouquet of lilacs.
ReplyDeleteThis really touches me, Connie. The scent of lilacs is my favorite - of all flowers. It's nostalgic to me, the way you've expressed so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Have a very peaceful week.
Beautiful photo of your mom, you and your grandmother:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet memory! love the photo of all three of you on the couch.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelleyn! Thank you for visiting and commenting here.
DeleteWhat a beautiful poem, Connie. This sure brings back a lot of wonderful memories of my aunt who loved and grew lilacs. I can still smell their sweet fragrance.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite floral fragrance! And the poem speaks volumes, doesn't it? Love seeing old photos. Thank you for your visits< Connie.
ReplyDeleteAh... how sweet and lovely faces !!!
ReplyDeleteglowing with beauty of kindness and grace of love!!!!!!!!
made my eyes wet dear Connie! reminded me my grandma and my dear mom ,there glittering eye with love .
sooo beautiful and sooo touching poem my friend!
A nice memory both in prose and the family photo, Connie. We had 2 lilac bushes in the yard when I was growing up and the poem brought back fragrant memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kind comments. Lilacs seem to be a favorite and hold memories for many.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Connie. A fitting tribute for Mother's Day in the USA. Blessings to you. Love love, Andrew.
ReplyDelete