Without Wheels

Cherry

By Frances Macaulay Forde

Fri, 16 May 2025
  • 636 reads
13 comments
 

Without Wheels

 

Old-fashioned suitcases, the ones without wheels...

Such treasures themselves for the memories they held.

 

Skippered with no regard to a life-time of service,

disposed of - as I myself have been disposed of...

 

Perhaps a keen eye will fall over the rubbish bin’s wall

and take you home, give you a new life, if only

 

as under-bed storage. Or repainted in bright colours

to hold precious memories - like I did. Not wanting

 

the finality of ‘throwing away’ mum and dad, two

well-worn suitcases proudly sit in our lounge now

 

re-vamped, with children’s toys sharing in a new life

through the lives of my precious grand-children,

 

seeing their excited faces every time they lift the lid

to sort through and grab some treasure of their own.

 

The painted, bright-coloured flowers will never fade.

 

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2015

(Photo: Mum & Dad's suitcases, revamped by yours truly.)

Certificate U
Poem
Written in Australia
Biography

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

lifting the lid, indeed. what a life. 

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

G'day Jack, thank you for reading and commenting. 

I've just purchased your 'Beastie' on Amazon for my Kindle and look forward to another gripping read.   Hope this finds you well.

Best,

Frances.  

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I really loved this poem. What a great idea to keep hold of the suitcases, turning them into cherished cases for toys.

The photo shows you have an artistic eye too.

Very much enjoyed reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thank you so much Jennifer, for your compliment and for reading my poem. It's lovely to be back on ABCTales again. The last few years have been challenging but hopefully I'll now have more time to catch up on all my favourite writers like you and discover some new ones.  heart

 

 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Woo-Hoo!  Thank you so much for the Cherries!  You've made my day! heart

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

You capture the delight of children having a case or box to rummage through! Useful too to sometimes put a load away for a while and bring out fresh! And yes, your painting seems quite something. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thank you, Rhiannon, for taking the time to read and comment. As I've mentioned in previous comments, I look forward to catching up with many favourite writers on here.   

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Turlough on

Well worn old things are always more attractive and interesting to look at than the pristine new stuff, in my opinion. We have three very old trunks that use to store linen. From the outside their appearance suggests treasure but inside there's little more than towels and pillow cases... and sometimes a spider. The treasure is the trunk itself.

Your poem fits well with my theory.

Turlough

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Yes, I enjoy revamping old to give a second life. Thanks for your comment, Turlough. To me, anything touched by those I love is valuable.  I know my dear Mum & Dad would delight in seeing their little grandies bum-up and digging around in long-forgotten treasures, if only they were still around... 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by Di_Hard on

The suitcase in your photo is gorgeous! I love the idea of you keeping suitcases belonging to your Mum and Dad, as if they are travelling in time. It would be lovely if, time travellers, the suitcases might in some way transmit back the delight of young faces as the lids are opened, and a new world of imagination is explored

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Yes, Di, thank you for your time and attention.  Your comments very much appreciated.

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF

Submitted by D G Moody on

I'm just now catching up on poems, and I liked this one, the idea of rebirthing an old suitcase into a new life is such an excellent idea, and it continuing as a family heirloom. A good one Frances.

Dougie Moody

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Thank you. Doug, for reading and commenting. 

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/search?q=FrancesMF