This month, I’m writing posts from prompts in the Writing Down the Bones Card Deck by Natalie Goldberg, shared with me by my friend Barb Edler of Iowa. Today’s post inspires us to write about what we bring – in our purses, on a trip, to a party, in our suitcases, in our book bags or in our cars.
I’m reminded of our adventure book club that met at Barnstormer’s Restaurant in Williamson, Georgia the. month I couldn’t attend. You read that right. I’m reminded of a memory I don’t actually have. We’d recently finished reading a book entitled The Last Flight, where two women change identities to fly off to new lives but then one plane crashes. This inspired us to meet at our local small airport’s restaurant and actually bring a bag of only the five things we would take if we ever left and were limited in our departure possessions. They had to fit in a tote bag or small personal bag you’d carry when flying. We excluded cell phones, chargers, wallets with money/photos, and medications.
Only thing is, that’s when my father was in Hospice in his final hours and I was out of town – so I heard all about what happened at that book club meeting but was not able to attend. Today, this question for the prompt is timely. What would I bring?
5 Things I’d Bring
I’d bring the tiny obsidian dog
to remind me you knew my heart
I’d bring the silver pearl cross
to remind me you knew my faith
I’d bring the pumpkin bread recipe
to remind me you value tradition
I’d bring the bracelet with the cardinal
to remind me you know transcendending love
of motherhood
I’d bring the memories
to carry you in my heart forever
Common Threads 
Those five things are the best.
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A poignant poem, especially after reading the back story. Because of your writing about this deck I have looked into ordering it, but only see the book- hopefully that will be just as good, because I love the prompts you have shared.
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Once again, you add so much in just one slide. I now have a book to add to my to-be-read list. A cool idea to gather items to take on a trip. But then your slice turned from creative to touching. So love your poem! As Lakshmi said, your five things are the best. Thanks for sharing so much today!
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Kim,
Your bookclub sounds fun and creative. Did you like the book? It’s a title I don’t know. The entire exercise of literally bringing only five things and following through on that reminds me of those value clarification exercises we did back in the 1970s. Maybe we need more of that in our seemingly values gone wrong world. Your poem tugs on my heart, especially the last line about memories and carrying those. They are weighty things, for sure. That line, the poem itself, reminds me of Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried. It’s the final emotional baggage that is the heaviest, the hardest to carry. Lovely, thoughtful commentary and poem.
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Kim,
I ordered the deck and it sits unopened on my kitchen table. This prompt is so rich as is your poem. At first it seemed like a love poem, but then you wrote the word “motherhood.” I’ve been wearing things lately to keep my mother close to me, a scarf, a beaded necklace, a cross she gave me. I am grateful to have these things. Thanks for sharing.
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Oh, Kim, this is such a sweet poem full of wonderful memories of your dear Dad. Beautiful. (By the way, I read The Last Flight recently too. It was a page turner.)
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Kim, first, your book club sounds fabulous and creative! Your list is powerful and I am pretty sure you will long remember the book and this list and think of your amazing Dad when you think of any of them. it’s pretty amazing how we connect our reading lives and our “real” ones!
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I love this story and the dinner idea. But your poem was moving (as usual!) and I am really inspired to think of my own five things. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing
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your book club sounds creative and close. And your 5 things speak of a loving and close family. Very nice slice to read.
and the prompt reminds me of the book about the war in Vietnam, “The Things They Carry” (I believe.) What do you carry with you is a telling question.
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Kim, I’m so happy you wrote this poem so I could learn what you would have brought to our dinner. Your words and your heart are equally beautiful, and every item in your “bag” was precious. We wished you could have been with us that day…anywhere rather than where you were. Believe me when I say you were with us, right in the midst, and we were there with you in spirit, holding the hand of our dear friend.
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Kim, I’m so happy you wrote this poem so I could learn what you would have brought to our dinner. Your words and your heart are equally beautiful, and every item in your “bag” was precious. We wished you could have been with us that day…anywhere rather than where you were. Believe me when I say you were with us, right in the midst, and we were there with you in spirit, holding the hand of our dear friend.
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