Do you ever notice the way that certain scents, movements, actions can transport you back in time to a particular place or memory? I’m transported vividly back to the ornate mustard-hued apartment in a Palazzo in Venice whenever I inhale Ralph by Ralph Lauren, certain yoga poses have somehow become connected with memories of university, of an airport in Rome, of a case I worked on when I was a lawyer. It endlessly fascinates me how these things are seemingly randomly connected. I notice these experiences, collect them, turn them over in my hand to observe them. Taking photos is another fascination of mine – amassing moments and memories to relive and treasure again later.
The cool, heady scent
pulls me
hurtling through
timezones and eras
back
to the city of bridges
to the strains of a
melancholy opera
caressing the shimmering
cobblestones
…
Smooth movements
trembling positions
As I tilt my face towards
the hint of sun
revisiting memories
conversations
places that
attach themselves
cling invisibly to
the arc of my body
…
The jolt of the
shutter, the eye
springing shut
capturing the movements
frozen, the moments
finite now made
timeless
a portal beckoning
connecting us
forever to the
past
This post is inspired by the Five Minute Friday writing challenge. Each week I join with this talented group of writers, free writing for five minutes in accordance with a prompt. Today’s prompt is ‘collect’.
12 comments
Love this! I recently got a really nice new digital camera; way fancier than my old point and shoot. I’m loving capturing photos. I’m over in the 3 spot this week.
That is so cool – it must be fun to discover a whole new way of taking photos!
Oh, Emma, YES! There are sounds and smells and tastes that will pull me back, instantly, to the place where pain was the daily manna, and honour the brass ring.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/07/your-dying-spouse-339-revelation-and.html
Oh I can imagine how strong those memories must be – so visceral and powerful…
Hi, Emma. Beautiful. I’ve always found memories interesting. Taste, smell, colors, theme songs, words, and more bring back feelings and experiences.
A memory is a treasure and as I get older I find I’m trying harder to capture these, savor them, and collect them for myself and my family.
I love it – yes, a memory is completely a treasure and something to collect and enjoy! Even as I near my birthday this year I’m asking for things that will enable the capturing of good memories rather than just ‘things’ that gather dust…
Beautiful, Emma. I love the cadence.
Thanks Esther 🙂 xx
I love that some people love to take pictures for people like me to look at. Keep it up because it makes others happy…
Thanks Betty! It is such a fun skill to learn, and I love that I have so much more to learn as well 🙂
Yes! Often it’s the most ridiculous objects or situations we remember, but they make us smile and feel warm inside. And that’s worth it.
So true 😀