Signature Pieces

I write not here for beauty, I write not here for fame

I write to be remembered, so here I write my name.

The Autograph Book

Is there anything more precious than friendship? 

In the past friendship was highly regarded and typically autograph books or friendship albums were started by school girls as keepsakes.   In the Victorian era they were kept by young middle class woman. These books housed poetry, prose, pressed flowers as well as signature souvenirs  from close friends.   The tradition was passed down from generation to generation and has evolved, yet today they still captivate our imaginations. 

 "Yours till the ocean peeks to see the salad dressing" 

 

 These treasure filled albums held meaningful memories of   favourable friendships, places we lived, people who may of influenced us and a few who we don’t even remember now.  Signatures and verses added a magical touch of whimsy.  Friends, both old and new were encouraged to pen the perfect words to express their feelings.   Most would just sign their name, while others copied their favourite verse.   Friendship albums or autograph books are a rare find today.  Antique autograph books are found at estate sales.   Some of them fetching hundreds of dollars. 

"Like many, trust few...Always paddle your own canoe" 

While we modern men and woman may not pen our lives for future generations in a friendship album, many of us record and write about love, losses, travels and our life's journey through journal entries, photo stories in scrapbooks and of course creating a blog. With just a simple click of a mouse we can open the door to our very own virtual keepsake album. We can continue the tradition by leaving a signature piece of our own.

My Autograph Books 1962 - 1968

When I was about 8 years old, I received my first autograph book. I think it was one of my favourite gifts. However, I’m pretty sure people got tired of me asking, “Won’t you sign my autograph book, please .” I still have my two childhood autograph books. They are filled with verses and signatures from school classmates, friends, teachers and relatives . When I read through the entries from long ago, it evokes sweet long forgotten memories. So to answer the question. “Is there anything more precious than friendship?” I believe my answer would have to be, absolutely not.

It tickles me...It makes me laugh...To think you want my autograph"

I now feel I have a virtual autograph book in the form of my Blog. 
So why not try writing your own verse or call one up from memory.  
Come on…Would love for you to leave one on my comments...

So, for old times sake,

Will you sign my autograph book, please?

 

Cardinal Visit

Photo by Reena Walkling 

Morning dawned crisp and bright

Aloft from my dreams this night

Along the path all on our own

I wish you every joy I’ve known

On this bright morning loud and clear

Its shrill echoed oh so near

Relishing first light, while sipping  tea

The bird, the brook, the path, the trees

He sings not but for a spoken few

Yet now appears as if on cue

Snowflakes interlace with tearful eyes

As I look upwards to tree and sky

Whenever you should need me

Look to the cerulean skies

Raise your heart and soul upon the winds

To reveal a gladden red surprise

All things will be clear to you

Fate is in no one’s hands

You must let go

Let love expand

You’ll figure out

what you want to do

Keep doing your thing while staying true

Just keep being you…

I wrote this poem last evening after visiting Reena's blog,  Missing Moments. A big thank you to you Brian Miller, for this evocative prompt and to you Reena,  your amazing images are stunningly beautiful…Below are two journey entries from my healing journey after losing my daughter Chantelle in a car accident in 1992.

Journal Entry December 24, 1992

I dreamt of Chantelle again. She and I were walking together along a path.  She showed me land and said;  this is where you and Bob will build a new home. The land was tree covered and there was a brook running through the middle. She also showed me how it looked through all the changing seasons.  I asked her for a sign so that I will know that she is safe at peace.  She looked to the skies and told me, when you see a Cardinal and pointed back to the land.

 

Journal Entry March 2, 1995

I arose early, made made my tea and began reading from my newest book. I became totally engrossed inn the words on the pages,  Quite out of the blue,  I sensed an odd feeling come over me.  It was an energizing , humming sensation throughout my entire body.  Words alone cannot describe what I was feeling.  It was reminiscent of the dream I had  about Chantelle and the land.. The land that we now live on in our new home.  I felt an intense presence within and then as quickly as it came, it was suddenly gone, leaving me emotionally drained.   It evoked my memory of the question I asked Chantelle in my dream,,,”I need a sign, so I will know that you are safe and at peace”.   I was then compelled to look out our kitchen window.   I wondered, as I gazed through the window when if ever I would see a Cardinal., since our neighbors informed us, they had never seen any Cardinals here.  I continue my gaze, taking in the remains of winter blanket, when there on the ground was the most beautiful red Cardinal, I had ever seen.  I could hardly believe my eyes. I wept tears of joy, for I knew this was my sign.  The gorgeous bird, stayed long enough for me to snap a picture through my kitchen window.  The remainder of the day left me with a feeling of calm joy.  I am so thankful for the connection I have with Chantelle and I know that the glimpses will continue and no matter how subtle or quiet they are, I will appreciate them as a divine gift.

 

 Poetics-visual-eyes-ing with Brian Miller