Every week Holly invites us to write about our spiritual journey. This week’s theme is Leaving a Legacy. Too much pressure if you think about it, which is exactly what I do after she tweets out the theme. Carol wrote about leaving a digital footprint on Sunday. I told her that I don’t like to think about this because it’s intimidating. What if I’m not “leaving a legacy.” I am very good at assigning guilt to myself. I do much better in this digital platform when I just write what’s on my mind. When I am true to myself, most readers respond in a positive way and with a connection. This is more important to me than leaving a legacy.
Which leads me to playing with the word in a word play poem.
Legacy is a lofty word
leaning on me like
the preacher gripping the pulpit
pointing its accusing finger.Legacy leaves me looking
too long, hoping to see
what they see, to know the secret
of a life well lived.With its sharp turned back,
Legacy asks “Why aren’t you scrapbooking?”
Folding pictures into decorative pages,
making memories into 3 by 5 cards.I’d like my legacy to be a flower
shrouded in beauty with strong scent
pressed between the pages of a favorite book
waiting there for you to find.–Margaret Simon
Margaret, this is a perfect response to the topic. After reading this blog post, I see that your image of a flower shrouded in beauty with a strong sense represents you well. I am glad that we found each other in Twitter circles and now have a lasting bond. Your imprint and writing has inspired me again and again.
Don’t make me nervous. Just kidding. I love our connection, too.
I especially love the last stanza . . . the idea of the flower being pressed in a book for someone to find. You do this through your writing. I can see it perfectly. Thank you for your words and thoughts — as always, they get me thinking. đŸ™‚
Beautiful…”I’d like my legacy to be a flower
shrouded in beauty with strong scent
pressed between the pages of a favorite book
waiting there for you to find.”
Ha – I laughed aloud at your scrapbooking lament. đŸ˜‰ I can understand your feelings of intimidation at the word legacy, but I think legacies can be found in the simplest things, as well as the lofty ones – like your pressed flower.