From You, To Me
A letter I had hoped for.37 total reviews
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Your hoped-for letter is well-written, though poignant, Sally.
The flow is smooth, the rhymes work, and the color scheme
and image are perfect. Your words showed hope when it wasn't
forthcoming. Your words are straight from your heart. Despite
the issues, your mother tried so hard, and look where you are
today. You are a survivor.
Best wishes in the contest, Jan
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Your hoped-for letter is well-written, though poignant, Sally.
The flow is smooth, the rhymes work, and the color scheme
and image are perfect. Your words showed hope when it wasn't
forthcoming. Your words are straight from your heart. Despite
the issues, your mother tried so hard, and look where you are
today. You are a survivor.
Best wishes in the contest, Jan
Comment Written 13-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you for the tender words and comments. Blessings, dear Jan,
Sal XOs
Comment from Pearl Edwards
All your emotions are in your words, Sally both in your poem and notes. I wonder if your dad felt the sorrow of the loss, like you did when he was sober. The alcohol takes so much. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
Valda
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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All your emotions are in your words, Sally both in your poem and notes. I wonder if your dad felt the sorrow of the loss, like you did when he was sober. The alcohol takes so much. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
Valda
Comment Written 13-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you, sweet Valda. Blessings to you always,
Sal XOs
Comment from Fleedleflump
What a powerful way to deal with this unpleasant element of your life. The idea of imaging the letter you wished to receive is brilliant and affecting. There's a great episode of South Park where a character is told he's an alcoholic, and that it's a disease, and that becomes his excuse to keep drinking because 'it's a disease - I can't help it.' I have a family member similarly drinking themselves into oblivion, to the detriment of all around him. There's no good in these scenarios.
Thank you for posting.
Mike
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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What a powerful way to deal with this unpleasant element of your life. The idea of imaging the letter you wished to receive is brilliant and affecting. There's a great episode of South Park where a character is told he's an alcoholic, and that it's a disease, and that becomes his excuse to keep drinking because 'it's a disease - I can't help it.' I have a family member similarly drinking themselves into oblivion, to the detriment of all around him. There's no good in these scenarios.
Thank you for posting.
Mike
Comment Written 13-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you for the lovely review and kind compliments. I really loved being a part of your older poems series.
Thank you, Mike, it's been a pleasure.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal :)))
Comment from Wendy G
Wow! Yes, this would have been great to receive from him, and so sad that there was so little relationship, despite your efforts.Such a hard thing for you to have had to live with throughout your life.
I wonder if there is some genetic tendency to be predisposed to addictions - and after some poor initial choices the person becomes a captive to a broken mind. I have a friend who never drinks - his father was an alcoholic, the home was a broken one - but he is afraid of becoming addicted to alcohol. He is a workaholic though, and can't seem to change despite seeing the damage to his family.
Wendy
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Wow! Yes, this would have been great to receive from him, and so sad that there was so little relationship, despite your efforts.Such a hard thing for you to have had to live with throughout your life.
I wonder if there is some genetic tendency to be predisposed to addictions - and after some poor initial choices the person becomes a captive to a broken mind. I have a friend who never drinks - his father was an alcoholic, the home was a broken one - but he is afraid of becoming addicted to alcohol. He is a workaholic though, and can't seem to change despite seeing the damage to his family.
Wendy
Comment Written 13-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you, dear Wendy! Your kind reviews are always welcome. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs
Comment from WalkerMan
Though you have told me most of the story prompting this post, it still misted my eyes to read this poem and the related notes.
Because I was allergic to my mother's smoking, as a child I vowed never to try -- even once -- anything potentially addictive, including alcohol and even soda. You are right that the first try is a choice. The rest is determined by how one's body responds, which could be an instant permanent addiction in some cases.
From your notes, it is clear that your dad loved you but could not control his addiction and its effects on him, including his ability to live in current time; so he clung to memories of you when he was still with you. His lucid moments were limited to fond dreams of those days -- his only solace. He could not face either the time he knew he lost with you or the pain he knew he caused.
To have a day, just you and me,
or even just an hour.
To start afresh and see you, Sal,
outside your door, I cower.
Deep inside, he may have had thoughts corresponding to the words of the poem below -- "Values" by Jessie Belle Rittenhouse (1869-1948), on page 47 of her book, The Door of Dreams (1918).
O Love, could I but take the hours
That once I spent with thee,
And coin them all in minted gold,
What should I purchase that would hold
Their worth in joy to me?
Ah, Love -- another hour with thee.
The words of "Time in a Bottle" (1970), written and sung by Jim Croce (1943-1973) also come to mind. Here is a link to hear it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1rMeYnOmM
I hope finally posting this will bring you some catharsis.
Superb, and aptly illustrated.
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2022
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Though you have told me most of the story prompting this post, it still misted my eyes to read this poem and the related notes.
Because I was allergic to my mother's smoking, as a child I vowed never to try -- even once -- anything potentially addictive, including alcohol and even soda. You are right that the first try is a choice. The rest is determined by how one's body responds, which could be an instant permanent addiction in some cases.
From your notes, it is clear that your dad loved you but could not control his addiction and its effects on him, including his ability to live in current time; so he clung to memories of you when he was still with you. His lucid moments were limited to fond dreams of those days -- his only solace. He could not face either the time he knew he lost with you or the pain he knew he caused.
To have a day, just you and me,
or even just an hour.
To start afresh and see you, Sal,
outside your door, I cower.
Deep inside, he may have had thoughts corresponding to the words of the poem below -- "Values" by Jessie Belle Rittenhouse (1869-1948), on page 47 of her book, The Door of Dreams (1918).
O Love, could I but take the hours
That once I spent with thee,
And coin them all in minted gold,
What should I purchase that would hold
Their worth in joy to me?
Ah, Love -- another hour with thee.
The words of "Time in a Bottle" (1970), written and sung by Jim Croce (1943-1973) also come to mind. Here is a link to hear it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1rMeYnOmM
I hope finally posting this will bring you some catharsis.
Superb, and aptly illustrated.
Comment Written 13-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 13-Jul-2022
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What a wonderful surprise in your busy week. Thank so much for this, and for the tender and supportive comments.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal :))))
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You are most welcome, Sal.
I know how important this topic is to you. :)) -- Mike
Comment from pome lover
goodness, Sally. That is so sad. I'm glad you and Jack have each other. You certainly look happy in your picture.
That letter says it all - what you hoped you'd hear from your dad- very powerful. Your poem is lovely, anyway.
Best of luck in the contest,
Katharine
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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goodness, Sally. That is so sad. I'm glad you and Jack have each other. You certainly look happy in your picture.
That letter says it all - what you hoped you'd hear from your dad- very powerful. Your poem is lovely, anyway.
Best of luck in the contest,
Katharine
Comment Written 12-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you for taking the time to read my poem. Your kind reviews always mean so much. Sal XOs
Comment from LateBloomer
Hi Sally, a heartfelt story. As a daughter of an alcoholic, I can relate to this story. The damage that an alcoholic does is beyond compare, and many times not repairable for them and others. The scars they leave behind are deep, and in many cases, continues into generations to come. Of special note:
The sobering thing about it is
I've missed your main event.
(Indeed)
Well chosen photo. Today you wrote something brave. Six stars for you. LateBloomer
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Hi Sally, a heartfelt story. As a daughter of an alcoholic, I can relate to this story. The damage that an alcoholic does is beyond compare, and many times not repairable for them and others. The scars they leave behind are deep, and in many cases, continues into generations to come. Of special note:
The sobering thing about it is
I've missed your main event.
(Indeed)
Well chosen photo. Today you wrote something brave. Six stars for you. LateBloomer
Comment Written 12-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you for the tender and sweet review, Late Bloomer! It means so much to me. Sending you my best today as always, and blessings for your day,
Sal XOs
Comment from Loren .
This is simply poignant. What more can I say? What more could I add beyond that one word poignant. This poem weeps with the loss of a love that could only be hoped for. Maybe there is another word, melancholic perhaps or possibly forlorn. But quietly beautiful in its open longing. Loren
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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This is simply poignant. What more can I say? What more could I add beyond that one word poignant. This poem weeps with the loss of a love that could only be hoped for. Maybe there is another word, melancholic perhaps or possibly forlorn. But quietly beautiful in its open longing. Loren
Comment Written 12-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Loren! I'm getting spoiled seeing so many reviews in my box from you. I appreciate your kind words and support.
Blessings to you all,
Sal XOs
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I read your notes and alcohol has a lot to answer for and I am so sorry that your Father missed out on seeing you grow up and he would have been so proud had he not been influenced by alcohol. Your words are so profound and damning. Your Mother did the right thing, but it has left you with all those memories that should have included your father. Your poem is heartfelt and sorrowful but also it is pragmatic and well balanced too, there is understanding in your words and forgiveness. I enjoyed your touching poem Sally, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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I read your notes and alcohol has a lot to answer for and I am so sorry that your Father missed out on seeing you grow up and he would have been so proud had he not been influenced by alcohol. Your words are so profound and damning. Your Mother did the right thing, but it has left you with all those memories that should have included your father. Your poem is heartfelt and sorrowful but also it is pragmatic and well balanced too, there is understanding in your words and forgiveness. I enjoyed your touching poem Sally, love Dolly x
Comment Written 12-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you for the lovely review and kind comments, dear Dolly. Both mean so much! Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs
Comment from Irish Rain
Awww....so very sorry for your loss.
I loved the beautiful letter, if only your
father could have written/sent it.
My father and mother were both alcoholics...
my mom spiced hers up with drugs, and was very abusive.
A lousy way for children to live.
I too think it's a choice.
Sure, it's an addiction, as are drugs.
But every morning...it's a chosen addiction.
Loved your post,
blessings...
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Awww....so very sorry for your loss.
I loved the beautiful letter, if only your
father could have written/sent it.
My father and mother were both alcoholics...
my mom spiced hers up with drugs, and was very abusive.
A lousy way for children to live.
I too think it's a choice.
Sure, it's an addiction, as are drugs.
But every morning...it's a chosen addiction.
Loved your post,
blessings...
Comment Written 12-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2022
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Thank you, dear Irish Rain. I appreciate your true story as well. We love our families and want the best for them. A life of addiction, and what it does to the family, is hard to put into words. I tried, and maybe succeeded in a small way.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal xoxo's
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I think your story will touch a lot of people, thank you for sharing it.
Have a great weekend!!
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Thank you. It already has. I am so touched by the wonderful response and kind words. Xoxo's
