GOLD DUST MEMORIES

Sprinkle your gold dust, that we may hear
     how your life's journey was fashioned.

Your mother, your father, your grandparents too,
     what kind of life did they breathe into you.
Your sister Jeannette, Marguerite and Grace
     did they tease you, or please you.
And when did they know that your found a mate.
Mr. & Mrs. you two came to be,
     and did you ever carve your names in a tree?

Sprinkle your gold dust, that we may hear
     how your life's journey was fashioned.

Remember how dad use to hold you real tight
     as you sang to him of your heart's delight.
Three daughter, three sons - a family at last.
My how those years have so swiftly passed.

Sprinkle your gold dust, that we may hear
     how your life's journey was fashioned.

Weddings and funerals, and grandchildren too,
    my how they loved to please you.
Joy and sorrow, laughter and tears
     are what makes dust memories of gold.

So sprinkle your gold dust, tell us at last
    how your life's journey was fashioned.

This poem was written when my mother celebrated her 
75th birthday. But it is a realization of who my mother
is that prompted me to write this poem.

My three brothers were sexually exploited when they 
were young. Once it was discovered, my mother 
emotionally disowned them and supported the abuser...
the abuser is my sister's husband. Needless to say it 
tore our family apart.

But somehow, maybe for the first time in my many years
on this earth, I'm able to see her as a human being.
I think if she would have shared her own childhood
traumas that she truly could have had dust memories
of gold. For it is through facing our pain that wisdom 
is born. To spinkle gold dust enriches everyone  truth
is that powerful.

It doesn't matter if you don't print this. I just felt 
like sharing my experiences. And though the poem does 
not touch on child abuse as I knew it growing up,
it is part of my recovery. Abuse of any kind is wrong.
When all is said and done, I love my mother for who
she is and not for what she's done...

--Joy