Perhaps because I've been writing about Scorpius for the Weekend Writer's Retreat, I thought about this piece of journal writing by my grandfather.
It's written on a piece of notepaper and was in amongst a box of photographs. My grandfather was a portrait photographer, so there are loads of pictures, but hardly any memories written out like this. Something to treasure.
In the first shot shown below, he's the teenager in the center of the picture, returned from a day hunting and fishing with friends or cousins, perhaps a mixture of both.
The second photo shows his parents, along with Grandpa's oldest brother. Grandpa's mother Arthemise died when he was only six, and he was farmed out to relatives following the loss of his mom.
He grew up in an Acadian community in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, so a reference to 'Joseph à Jim' means 'Joseph, son of Jim'.
For today's Poetry Train, I'm returning to the found poetry format which I did all last year. I'm using Grandpa's journal snippet to fashion this poem.
On Account of My Loneliness
After Mother died
After Mother died
Went to live at Joseph à Jim
At Joseph à Jim, after...
Met this woman
Who went to live there
At Joseph à Jim
She lived there
After I left
I left from there
On account of my loneliness
- Charles Doucet
Naquillity says These are the truest treasures. The ones where you can use old photographs like these and write poetry, pulling from the past.
Sheila says Oh so true, the truest treasures. I loved to watch my grandmother's old eyes as she looked at a faded photograph and told a story.
Travis says So often I see a bit of prose and the rhythm of the language just begs to be re-ordered into a poem.
these are the truest treasures. the ones where you can use old photographs like these and write poetry, pulling from the past. i'm always touched by your deep sense of family. thanks for sharing both photographs and found poetry. have a great day.
ReplyDeleteOh so true, the truest treasures. I loved to watch my grandmothers old eyes as she looked at a faded photograph and told a story.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you do the found poetry. So often I see a bit of prose and the rhythm of the language just begs to be re-ordered into a poem.
ReplyDeleteOh Julia,
ReplyDeleteSharing these genealogical gems is special beyond words. Yet, you deftly and lovingly narrated these finds. Thank you very much for opening up your family to us.
I don't have any photos or remembrances of my grandparents. These are treasures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use of this treasured bit of the past. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteOld photos always have a story to tell. Thanks for sharing this Julia. :)
ReplyDelete