There is a small sadness to this work and yet the reality of it's content brings one to reflect on one's own life and the ingredients as the fruitcake that we create...

enjoyed, Kate...

Art Sun...

Oh my this hits the heart hard Kate. Brilliant write, deeply emotive.

Oh, that last line, one of those we wish we wrote, lol. You have such a knack of making the commonplace alive with emotion and tense relationships, as if we are waiting for someone to crack in your work. Excellent, as usual.

I love the double meaning of so many of the lines in this...
I also love the way you have described something mundane, like washing dishes, yet you used it to create such a wonderful mood and to draw so many analogies... My favorite lines: "I lose my tea-towel grip" and "all the bitter words we've meted out in 5ml doses" Maybe a realization that bitter words shouldn't have been said...which leads me to thinking about all the petty things I am sure I have said in my lifetime that would make me lose my "tea-towel" grip if I let others believe that the bitter sentiments were my true feelings... and it makes me want to mend those little thoughts and sentiments before it is too late...
Loved the intimate feel of the poem...as if we were seeing into someone's kitchen, but feeling it is our own.

Cryssa

sink...the title alone speaks more than the kitchen...i felt i was participating in a mini slice of life, and I too heard the clatter of the cutlery...and now humanity is acknowledging its not only what we've said, but what we thought!

When we watch our family grow old, we also begin to face the reality that we are the next generation that will slip into that foggy abyss. We take a moment to survey our surroundings wondering how soon, we too, will have little recollection of today and all the days we shared before. We look at our mate and wonder, will it be them or me? It is far too much to wrap our thoughts around, for now, we have others to see through their processes as we close the door on the spider webs that are already beginning to form in the corners of our mind. This is outstanding, Kate. You handle this uncomfortable topic with beauty and grace.
Take care,
Sherry

This filled my soul of one love to another, sharing the life of someone dear to your hearts! Just the two of you!
What a wonderful way to share it Kate! You handled it graciously!
Write On!
STay Positive!
STay Strong!
Warmest Blessings and Inner Peace, Warrior Purple Lady Shexooo

Excellent work Kate!!

Love Tinka

Stunning, this has a very unique feel to it, like a moving picture without words. Great Poem.

how we handle the aging process, with our loved ones and ourselves reflects our own core feelings of fear, the unknown and of love, hope and committment ... losing one's "tea-towel grip" is a good foreshadowing image ... a real life scenario you've approached quite creatively, Kate ...

Skipping years fast, sounds metaphorical ageing beyond ones years.
Chit chat over the mundane, and typical family hot, cold banter.
The final stanza, is powerful, one almost feels it.
Some things are best said, others to wash up and let drain down the plug hole...

Amazing poetry. The clarity is so vividly sharp...

I felt this one deeply, for I too fed my mother the last two months of her life as she lay wasting away in a hospital bed from Cancer. It is one of the hardest struggles a person can make to see their parents turn basically into their child. I can also understand and feel a bit of the frustration and helplessness of the other person, some marraiges grow stronger with the bond of togetherness from this but others like my own deterriorate and as mine...end in divorce. So much is expressed here as someone else said, between the lines, but as always you brought our hearts openly to yours. Well done Sweet Kate.
big hugs
Fee

Kate,

We all have to face it someday but no one likes to talk about it. I seem to find myself changing the subject whenever old age is mentioned. Your poem has a very unique way of skirting the issues. Very well written my friend. Peace, Love and Blessings Always, Paul.

Beautifully expressed fragment of everyday life...with much to be read between your lines.

So many things to read between the lines here, Kate... cozy, yet hinting about so many different things.

My favorite between-the-lines part is a little play on half-invisible words-- jelly vs. preserves... "to keep her alive" --a nice little inuendo. Then there's dropping the cutlery vs. knives-- another little hint at more meanings... I love that. I would have made it too obvious.

There are other places too that can be read oh so many different ways with skads of different meanings-- perhaps you mean them all -- "fruitcake"; losing your grip; kitchen sink; and just the word "sink" all by itself-- so many implications, all falling together very well into this cleansing pool of a poem.

I don't think you missed any spots. --Charlie

no one writes a slice of life showing the reality of humantity like you do Kate! par excellence!...ET

there is a great lesson on love to be gleaned from this write. an offering of giving of one's self for the betterment of love.

always,
randy

i love the tenderness in this write

Excellent writing sweet lady,enjoyed as always..take care...Hugsssss

What better place than at the sink? You have set to the music of life a dance that will test the best of us. It will come and it will take control, but if you and that dish washer can remember the dance steps and keep in mind that no one knows when the music swill stop, then you two might win the gold cup for the most beautiful couple on the floor... whether you're dancing or not. This work is beautifully done,, striking home with gentle touches. I admire, and wish that I might do something near this good.... some day. I'm proud of you, Kiddo. Luv, - Bill

The Den is replete with wonderfully talented writers, and you are one of the best!

Powerful write, Kate; very well penned! BRAVA!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :(

An everyday setting that has the elements of life woven into your words.

Agony is felt within your words Kate. A wonderful write to share emotions of a time. Thank you for sharing.

Newfie hugs, Rose

...what we might become...you drop on us...cutting silence...and in sad words of honesty...we unplug the sink water...watching it all go down. I see many colors of expression here Kate...based upon reality.
wonderful work...
John

Great sharing of memories, Kate. Perhaps rumination of sweet wedge takes away the bitter words? Everyone creates a moment...

Micke

It certainly puts life in perspective,, Much sadness and lessons here Kate... Well Done.
Christine

This is a great poem...it captures the moment

We'll all lose control one day, but we don't want to know about it, or talk about it do we, the teatowel and spoons tumbling to the floor, accidental foreshadowing, but well situated in your poignant poem. God Bless! Jasmin Horst

i love the losing grip; on every.thing's nuance. ..
rendered intimately and myopically.
ness

Kate,

Poignancy in these lines - very well penned.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

That fruitcake, the nutty care-thee-well fruitcake is the necessary ingredient to a well balanced (if there is, indeed, such a thing) meeting of the minds, souls and bodies, otherwise the batter will sour from lack of spice . . .