A Matter of Life Remembered
A Remembrance told in prose and haiku41 total reviews
Comment from karenina
What an exquisite combination of prose and haiku! What a social commentary on how ignorant humankind was then and how many innocent victims like your aunt were shunned, hidden away, if not mistreated, certainly maltreated...all in the name of medicine and what those without said afflictions heralded as abnormal and therefore unacceptable. I pray the same enlightenment will come for those on the autism spectrum, those with Alzheimer's or other dementia disease, those many who cannot be measured by societal standards and put neatly in a column statistically! Amazing read! Bless you for giving voice to so many...and honoring the memory of your aunt with such love!--Karenina
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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What an exquisite combination of prose and haiku! What a social commentary on how ignorant humankind was then and how many innocent victims like your aunt were shunned, hidden away, if not mistreated, certainly maltreated...all in the name of medicine and what those without said afflictions heralded as abnormal and therefore unacceptable. I pray the same enlightenment will come for those on the autism spectrum, those with Alzheimer's or other dementia disease, those many who cannot be measured by societal standards and put neatly in a column statistically! Amazing read! Bless you for giving voice to so many...and honoring the memory of your aunt with such love!--Karenina
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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Hello karenina!
So very pleased my words resonated with you!
Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review!
diane
Comment from Sasha
I cannot begin to tell you how moved I was by this beautifully written story. I could relate to this one on a personal level too. I loved that you chose to present it in fragments since that is the relationship I have and still have with my family. Definitely worthy of 6 stars.
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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I cannot begin to tell you how moved I was by this beautifully written story. I could relate to this one on a personal level too. I loved that you chose to present it in fragments since that is the relationship I have and still have with my family. Definitely worthy of 6 stars.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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Hello Sasha!
I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
I am pleased my words resonated with you.
Such a tragic story...
Thank you!
diane
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You are a great writer and this was worthy of the 6 stars.
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You are much too kind, Sasha!
But I surely thank you!
Hope you are keeping cool!
diane
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I have the fans on all day and night. So far they are cooling me down quite nicely.
Comment from Bill Schott
This piece on your aunt is put together in an interesting mix of memoir, poetry, and commentary. The history of treatment has certainly evolved from the arcane asylum situations of the past.
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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This piece on your aunt is put together in an interesting mix of memoir, poetry, and commentary. The history of treatment has certainly evolved from the arcane asylum situations of the past.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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Hello Bill!
So pleased my words resonated with you.
Thank you for your excellent rating and positive review.
diane
Comment from tfawcus
It takes time to get into this fragmented narrative, but on balance I think it works. Fragments are somehow appropriate when speaking of this tragic life and your fragmentary understanding of it as a child. The format, a series of interlinked haibun, intensifies the sense of poignancy. The poetic snippets are beautiful.
I wondered, when you wrote "collectively captured moments", whether you intended us to understand that they were collective moments or moments that had been collectively captured by various family members.
Perhaps a little of both.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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It takes time to get into this fragmented narrative, but on balance I think it works. Fragments are somehow appropriate when speaking of this tragic life and your fragmentary understanding of it as a child. The format, a series of interlinked haibun, intensifies the sense of poignancy. The poetic snippets are beautiful.
I wondered, when you wrote "collectively captured moments", whether you intended us to understand that they were collective moments or moments that had been collectively captured by various family members.
Perhaps a little of both.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Hello Tony,
I have "read" this piece so many times in my mind and on paper that it all flows together. It is intentionally fragmented and fragmentary - as was my relationship with my aunt. That is why the prose pieces have dates - not only for the reader's sake but for mine as well.
I do mean "collective moments" as I was referring to all of the photographs where my father and his siblings were photographed together.
Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review.
This was a difficult write for me on many levels.
Take care and thank you again.
diane
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Oh, Diane, I wish I could give you more than a virtual six for this heart-wrenching story of yours. It was beautifully told revealing your thoughts as a child and later your distress at not knowing your aunt's favourite flowers were forget-me-nots. It is so sad that so many people suffering from epilepsy had to suffer even more through the ignorance of the medical profession back in those years. I'm glad you found that photo of her laughing.
I loved the prose mixed with haiku, it worked fabulously, my friend. So very well done. A sad story, written with so much love. Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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Oh, Diane, I wish I could give you more than a virtual six for this heart-wrenching story of yours. It was beautifully told revealing your thoughts as a child and later your distress at not knowing your aunt's favourite flowers were forget-me-nots. It is so sad that so many people suffering from epilepsy had to suffer even more through the ignorance of the medical profession back in those years. I'm glad you found that photo of her laughing.
I loved the prose mixed with haiku, it worked fabulously, my friend. So very well done. A sad story, written with so much love. Sandra xxx
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 05-Jun-2019
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Hello Sandra!
I am honored by your excellent rating and thoughtful review!
Indeed, it is a tragic story.
A bit of an experiment with this one, but I was moved to write my aunt's story in this format.
Thank you again!
diane
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You are very welcome, Diane, I was so moved by her story. xxx
Comment from lyenochka
Wow! Virtual six, Diane! This should have been entered into the Share Your Story contest as it would easily win! I love the haibun aspect of these reflections although the prose part is much longer than most haibun. And you show us the heart of a compassionate child wondering how to connect with this disabled aunt. I knew that it was building up to forget-me-nots everywhere. They do that as they never will let you forget them. Superb job and what amazing parents, your grandparents!
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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Wow! Virtual six, Diane! This should have been entered into the Share Your Story contest as it would easily win! I love the haibun aspect of these reflections although the prose part is much longer than most haibun. And you show us the heart of a compassionate child wondering how to connect with this disabled aunt. I knew that it was building up to forget-me-nots everywhere. They do that as they never will let you forget them. Superb job and what amazing parents, your grandparents!
Comment Written 03-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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Hello Helen!
I am so very pleased that my work resonated with you!
Thank you for your excellent rating and thoughtful review.
For the exact reason that you mention - the length of the prose - I didn't even mention "haibun" in my Author's Notes. This offering DID start out as a haibun, but like you so perceptively noted, the prose part is "longer than most haibun." The prose is also not as "stripped bare" as my research indicated it must be. Mine is far too flowery. But I am thrilled that you noted the haibun aspects. The haiku, in my mind, flows like a haiku suite and tells the story in poetic form, but I didn't mention that, either in my Author's Notes.
Bottom line = THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATING!
Take Care!
diane
Comment from Sugarray77
I really, really enjoyed reading your blended story if prose and poetry, Diane. What a wonderful and personal story to relate to us... and all because of forget me nots. It is very well written and the message is poignant and real. Thank you for sharing this with us!!
Melissa
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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I really, really enjoyed reading your blended story if prose and poetry, Diane. What a wonderful and personal story to relate to us... and all because of forget me nots. It is very well written and the message is poignant and real. Thank you for sharing this with us!!
Melissa
Comment Written 03-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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Hello Melissa!
I cannot begin to share with you how honored I am by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
So very pleased my words resonated with you.
Very difficult write for me to attempt. Rather experimental for me, but I enjoyed the challenge...
Thank you again!
diane
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Ahhh, hell, Diane -- this one just gets ya right in the heart (and the tear ducts... your style of tell a vivid story through wonderful use of imagery as well as the feelings of a young girl - those things seen that the adults miss or have forgotten - is just beautiful, ma'am!! ;) ;) You have a gift for mixing that with your little poignant poems mixed within and weaving an entire fabric of inclusion for your reader to feel as thought they are there with you... perfect! ;) ;)
Thank you for sharing your aunt and her obviously indomitable spirit, but a piece of Lady Diane's heart as well -- keep up the blooms and to bloody hell with the HOA! :) :) Yvette :)
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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Ahhh, hell, Diane -- this one just gets ya right in the heart (and the tear ducts... your style of tell a vivid story through wonderful use of imagery as well as the feelings of a young girl - those things seen that the adults miss or have forgotten - is just beautiful, ma'am!! ;) ;) You have a gift for mixing that with your little poignant poems mixed within and weaving an entire fabric of inclusion for your reader to feel as thought they are there with you... perfect! ;) ;)
Thank you for sharing your aunt and her obviously indomitable spirit, but a piece of Lady Diane's heart as well -- keep up the blooms and to bloody hell with the HOA! :) :) Yvette :)
Comment Written 03-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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Awwww, Yvette!
You have made my day!
I am thrilled by your exceptional rating and positive review!
This offering was a difficult write, but as I was working outside in my gardens, it evolved into what you read. The forget-me-nots have exploded this year - even across the road into the woods and our neighbors' yards, much to my delight!
Re: the HOA... When our daughter, Rachel was just a little girl - a new family moved into our neighborhood. The mom didn't know the difference between a tulip and a rose. Still doesn't. One day, Rachel was asked to play with the new neighbor girl, but she came home within a very short time, sobbing uncontrollably. When I asked her what was wrong she said, "Emily Arbut says you are going to go to jail!" Of course I inquired as to why. "Because you have flowers planted all over our yard and it's against the rules!" Good Lord!
The HOA calls for a "natural yard design." Apparently "flowers" are not natural. :) :)
Hoping that you are rested and enjoying your first day of summer vacation!
Thank you again!
diane
Comment from Sally Law
This is wonderful, Diane. What a beautiful piece of work! I give you a six with all my heart. I can't even believe I saw a four listed in the rating with this! You pay this no mind! Your piece is incredible, superbly written, tear jerking, emotionally and deeply felt by anyone who has had someone they loved pass away. Your aunt will not be forgotten, and you made sure of it here today. You have released her from her physical bonds, and brought her beautiful spirit out for all to see.
Always my very best to you and yours with love,
Sally Law
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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This is wonderful, Diane. What a beautiful piece of work! I give you a six with all my heart. I can't even believe I saw a four listed in the rating with this! You pay this no mind! Your piece is incredible, superbly written, tear jerking, emotionally and deeply felt by anyone who has had someone they loved pass away. Your aunt will not be forgotten, and you made sure of it here today. You have released her from her physical bonds, and brought her beautiful spirit out for all to see.
Always my very best to you and yours with love,
Sally Law
Comment Written 03-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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Dear Sally,
I am incredibly honored by your exceptional rating and heartfelt review. So pleased my words resonated with you.
This was a difficult piece to write. Such a tragedy.
Thank you again, Sally!
diane
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You are most welcome, dear Diane.
Comment from Mastery
A wonderful post, Diane. It must have been difficult for you at times as you unfolded these memories. You
have chronicled them very well and we cannot help but feel the pain of loss you have known just a bit,my friend. Bless you, Bob
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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A wonderful post, Diane. It must have been difficult for you at times as you unfolded these memories. You
have chronicled them very well and we cannot help but feel the pain of loss you have known just a bit,my friend. Bless you, Bob
Comment Written 03-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 03-Jun-2019
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Hello Bob!
I am deeply honored by your exceptional rating and perceptive review.
Difficult, indeed.
Such a tragic story.
So pleased my words resonated with you! I just came in from gardening, and those little forget-me-nots have exploded everywhere! Even across the street and into the neighbors' yards! I love it!
Take Care!
diane
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:) Bob