I recently read a poem by Frances Richey titled “Letters.” I suffered a nearly enzymatic response, my eyes immediately filling and then pouring with tears as I read, breathlessly and nearly without thought, straight to the bottom, where I slumped in a tangle of heartstrings.
In the poem, a woman waits for a Mother’s Day package from her son, who is deployed at war. There are threats of death throughout, and an ominous moment in which the mother stares at her reflection in the window of a florist, “my face among the tulips,” conjuring in my mind (perhaps idiosyncratically, perhaps not) the 100,000 tulips sent by Holland in remembrance of the dead after WWII. Despite the suspense, by the end of the poem, we know her son is alive: a package has been delivered. But it is her concluding words that brace like tonic:
“I didn’t care about the gift.
It was the note I wanted,
the salt from his hand,
the words.”
I of course know nothing of the pain of a mother with a child away at war. It is nearly unthinkable. But there was something so viscerally familiar, so echoingly true about the way Richey wrote the mother-son relationship in this poem that knocked me out. How many times have I absent-mindedly stood in door-frames and windows while fretting over something related to my son? I saw myself, plainly, in the near-physical need to grasp “the salt from his hand, the words” at the end. And I was bowled over by the resonance of this couplet: “I feel for my keys / hear his voice.” I, too, feel the imprinting of my boy’s tiny voice onto my palm, my cheek, my heart: his phrases, his cries always in my pocket, as familiar to me in shape as the cut of my housekey.
This is sterling, writerly stuff. Elsewhere, I described it as “the hazy romanticism I often feel when an author manages to evoke something precise, something I have felt but maybe forgotten, with just the right turn of phrase…I nod; I know what the author means by feel rather than intellect.”
There are many reasons to read. There are even more outcomes to the practice. The other day, I sat down to read the Richey poem unaware that I would be holding a looking glass to myself as a mother.
It is a wonder to find ourselves in language left by others, the salt from their hands a gift.
Post-Scripts.
+Lessons from the best class I took at UVA.
+Another powerful string of UVA memories.
+One of the things I love most about my husband is his openness to joy.
+How do you find a tranquil mind?
Shopping Break.
+Intrigued by this pair of white denim after seeing them on the ever-chic Bradley. (Currently on sale for $102!)
+Found a chic Marysia one-piece on sale for $64 (?!?!). Almost the same price as Mango’s lookalike!
+This “beach cardigan” would be a total workhorse — perfect for throwing on over anything on a chilly evening spring/summer night, packing for travel, and (duh) wearing on the beach when windy.
+I shared earlier this week that I bought this dress (extra 20% off using code YOUROCK) for my sister’s deferred wedding nuptials and have since turned my shopping focus to another wedding later this summer. I think I might spring for this Caroline Constas I’ve been eyeing all season — on sale and again an extra 20% off with code YOUROCK! (!)
+Love this chic button-down to pair with shorts this summer.
+One of my favorite fitness shirts. The shape is so flattering for some reason — covers the rear, hugs the arm in the right places.
+A great $30 everyday dress. Drawn to it in the black for some reason.
+Cute navy mini.
+I wear this watch nearly every single day. I regret buying the smooth leather band — wish I’d gone with the pebbled leather. At the time, the salesclerk told me it would “develop a beautiful patina,” which it has, but I’m not sure I love the patina? Would rather it just look fresh and clean. I might buy a second watch band this summer, maybe in a fun color?
+This navy sweater is in my cart.
+I have this skirt in a different floral and every time I wear it, I am overwhelmed with inquiries about it! It is SUCH a big statement and the seamstress work is impeccable on it. Details are insane!
+Fun sweatshirt for my golf loving ladies.
+Some amazing markdowns at Neiman’s, including this dramatic bow top and this fun striped cardigan.
+The best “dressy” sandals for little ones, restocked in most colors and sizes.
+The shorts I recently bought mini are on sale!
+Love the fit and color of this sports bra.
+Adorable floral barn jacket for a little love.
+Great navy shirtdress. I could live in shirtdresses all summer long. I would add dimension with bold accessories and footwear.
+These colorful evil eye necklaces would be a fun addition to a layered necklace look.
Leave A Reply