My Hiding Place
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When I was little, my next-door friend and I
believed we could hide among the sunflowers.
Of course, our mothers saw us, but they never
let on, so we never knew. Our hiding place,
we thought, would keep us safe from
pesky siblings conspiring to pilfer
the Milky Ways we nibbled and the brightly
colored picture cards we traded.
Now, at almost eighty, I’ve discovered
another place to hide. Watching my husband
of fifty years departing — day by day —
is a harrowing goodbye.
But Alzheimer’s is such a heartless thief!
My one escape is to my hiding place
deep within the poetry I write.
When I write, I grow a garden
of sunflowers. I lose myself among the cadences,
searching for golden words to plant in poems.
My husband used to tease,
“You’re hypnotized by a poetry genie.”
Everything around me dims, leaving only
a mist of reverie, a respite from
the heavy air of grief.
My friends allege in time my garden will blossom,
that grievous memories can still hold seeds of joy,
and even sunflowers, they say, when shadows deepen,
pivot from darkness to face
a coming dawn.
A child once told me poetry is strange —
like eating sushi, it takes getting used to.
Life, I guess, is strange like sushi, too.
I’m waiting for the “get used to” part
to happen. But while I wait, I’ll plant
another poem.
Liked this poem? Explore more thoughtful poems about memory, reflection, and resilience below:
- My Sister Has Cancer – Poetry
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Lynn Hess
Lynn is a retired middle-school teacher who loved her work and who, for thirty years, also conducted weekly poetry-writing workshops for students in grades K through 8. An educator, a mother of two and a “nana” of three, Lynn especially loves writing poetry inspired by children. Lynn's poetry has appeared or will appear in journals including Spoon River Quarterly, Aeolian Harp, Red Eft Review, Monterey Review, Discretionary Love, and others. Where Tigers Roar in Silence, a book of poetry for children, was published by Lime Rock Press.
