Gone But Not Forgotten

Gold cherry

By skinner_jennifer

Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 406 reads
19 comments
 

Now! With unhurried reflection

of times most vivid, whispers

steal here and now, leaving me

spellbound by passing thoughts.

 

Purified pulse of light giving

serenity to be with you again,

remembering: you're encased

in the cocoon of my mind.

 

Releasing grip on reality,

a free butterfly ready to fly;

images of Laycock, visions

of that day remain.

 

Roller coaster of when young,

leisurely visualizing rhythms

climbing – then descending,

stirring as years slip by.

 

In loving memory of you mum.

Born: 21st January 1929.

Died: August 22nd 2001.

 

Dear diary...Photo is my

own.Taken in

the village of Laycock in

1973 with mum and our

dog Trixi.

Certificate U
Poem
Dear Diary
Travel
Biography
Love
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)
Journal
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on

Such a beautiful tribute Jenny, and I love the photo - your village looks wonderful.

I noticed you mentioned in a comment that you'd been ill. Hope you're on the way to feeling better now

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I'm glad you thought it was a beautiful tribute insert. I was doing my usual thing of going through old photo albums and as a stirring memory this photo stood out. We had a lovely day out in Laycock and enjoyed the morris dancing in the village square, they even had maypole dancing too in traditional costumes. I've not been back there since 1973 so have no idea how the village looks now.

I always miss my mum in January, because that's when her birthday was, I was also reminded of her when I had a vivid dream, which gave me the idea for this poem, along with the I P this week.

I'm not fully recovered, but at least I'm not as bad as I was. Thank you for asking and your get well wishes.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by GlosKat on

Your mum was roughly contemporary with mine (1927 – 1993), Jenny.  It's wonderful that you remember her with such tenderness and love. 

My sister, who is religious, believes that she will see our mum again, and that must be very comforting. 

I don't believe that, so I comfort myself, with her memory. Funny, kind, compassionate, fiercely private, with commonsense by the bucket load. She once said to me "The problem with you, Kath, is that you go round looking for brick walls to bash your head against".  Nobody could possibly have summed me up better, and here I am decades later still looking for brick walls !

Whatever anyone believes about afterlife, I don’t think you ever get over losing your mum. 

And you have crafted an exquisite memorial to yours.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Kath, your mum sounds a bit like mine with the commonsense bit, she could be very stern because I was quite a rebellious teenager, always challenging mum, but that was in the early years. Much later she became fragile, and I find myself realizing that I'm becoming more like her the older I get. Now at seventy one I understand her more than ever.

I don't think we ever forget the parents that tried their best to do the right thing in bringing us up, while still trying to hold down a life of their own, it's such a juggling act and one that I always think about close to my mum's birthday.

That's such a kind thing to say, that you tthought it was an exquisite memorial to mum. It means a lot and thank you so much.

Jenny. 

 

 

Submitted by Turlough on

A lovely poem Jenny. I particularly liked the final verse which, I suppose, deals with how many of us might look back on loved ones from the past and the changing circumstances of our attachment to them over the years.

Lacock was very close to where I lived in Chippenham. It was just a short drive but what was better was when my kids and I went there on our bikes along the cycle track that followed the tow path of the former Wilts & Berks Canal. The route also skirted the broad meanders of the River Avon.

A pint (sometimes two, but never three because of the ride back) and a butty in the beer garden of the Red Lion were the cherry on the cake.

I’d sort of forgotten about Lacock so many thanks for reminding me.

Turlough

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Turlough,

I have to say that I was very rebellious as a teenager, but not because I wanted to hurt my parents, it's just that I thought they didn't understand and get me at the time, which is quite a normal thing for most teenagers I suppose, so it was kind of like a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. 

It's funny how close Laycock is, because I've never been back there since that day in 1973. I think we might have gone in the Red Lion back then, but it was so long ago I can't be sure.

I'm glad I could stir your own memories, it sounds like you have some great ones.

Many thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts Turlough. 

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

there are many photographs in the miind that stir and rise, aren't there, some clearer than others. And other memories of conversation or understanding. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

you're right photos and thoughts of loved ones do stir the memory, and dreaming of my mum gave me a clearer picture of what I wanted to write in a poem, along with the I P this week.

Mum was a smart lady up until later in life. I will always think of her fondly.

Thank you for sharing your words Rhainnon, it was a kind thought.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Laycock, it's unmistakable, never changes except for more people perhaps.

Isn't it strange how some memories are branded in time, either by a photograph or your own inner files. And some people live in your memory more fully, later on in life as the distance grows since you last saw them, maybe as time heals some of your own disappointments. Your mum looks like a fit and healthy lady who enjoyed the outdoors. What a lovely photograph to treasure, Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jane,

I believe many programmes have been filmed in Laycock, including Downton Abbey. It's managed to retain so much of its beauty...thank goodness.

It's true some people do live in the memory longer than others, but my mum was always there when I was growing up and sacrificed a lot for me. I just wished I'd appreciated it more at the time. Mum was very fit and healthy up until her later life, when she became very fragile.

I'm very happy you thought the photo was lovely. I certainly do treasure it, as I do all my photos.

It's always great to hear from you Jane.

Many thanks.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Thank You for your beautiful, very personal IP response Jenny. I don't know anything about Laycock, but it sounds like a good place to hold such a precious memory of your Mum

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Good afternoon Di, your comment was most welcome. Laycock is somewhere I haven't been since that day back in 73. I always hope it's managed to retain the old traditional cottages and beautiful surroundings.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave a comment, it was most welcome.

Jenny. 

 

Submitted by celticman on

mum is always best. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Yes Jack I agree, and thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

Jenny. yes

 

Submitted by Frances Macaula... on

Mum.  You'll always miss her - never get over her leaving, nor should you! I believe she will always be in your heart, in your memories and every time you speak her name, she'll be right there, listening.  Just as you've said in this is a beautiful tribute.  My mum was also born on the 21st January, but in 1921 and I lost her in 1980.  Still missed - it never gets easier, you just learn to cope. I surround myself with photos, which also help. Here's a hug from Western Australia, Jen. 

 

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

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

What a lovely message from you Frances. I have a special memory of my mum, when I was into Yoga and Meditation, Mum was so curious as to what I was doing and would ask me for advice on how to get started, so as I learned each movement, she would join me and we'd have fun doing it together. It was special because she suddenly grasped what I was about and enjoyed doing yoga as much as me. Sadly it never lasted because eventually I left home. But the recollection of that time sticks with me.

Like you say, we never forget and I'm sorry you've lost your mum. What a nice coincidence our mums were both January 21st born.

It was lovely to recieve your words of comfort. yes

Thank you so much,

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Editors,

it was such a lovely surprise to recieve the cherries.

Thanks ever so much. yes

Jenny. smiley

 

Submitted by sean mcnulty on

A moving tribute to a mother. This is our Pick of the Day. Please share across social media. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Sean, getting red cherries was wonderful. Now Pick Of The Day! Wow! That's absolutely wonderful.

Mum would love this if she were still alive. yes

Thank you so much. 

Jenny. smiley