Memories

[sawgr]

There was a small garden in the backyard
of my childhoodfirst home.
Father grew tomatoes and carrots in rows
between tulips and daisies.
 
Although he loved all themequally,
he seemed to have a special fondness for the tulips,
which he believedthey bore a certain resemblance to mother.
 
Of course, mother had passed shortly after I was born.
 
I think I remember her,
although that could just be the entanglement
of pictures and stories, or warm milk and dreams.
 
Father spread her ashes in the garden,
hoping her presence might help stiffen their spines,
as she had his.
 
I remember his soft smile, when he’d pass her picture in the hallway,
or share an old story from before I was born.
Some smiles are sadder than tears –
although I can’t remember ever seeing him cry.

Just some of my thoughts that may help the flow and mystery of the poem. I got chills reading this poem, at the line "some smiles are sadder than tears" maybe consider finishing the poem with that line, or switching the last two!

Great writing. My favourite poem I read so far today.