Childhood Memories

A Tanka poem — as the years pass, only memories remain.

My grandparents’ house Still had the sounds of our laughs From ten years ago But they were no longer there To share the laughter with us.

I visited my maternal grandparents’ home after many many years this past week. The same walls, the same room, the same place where all of us cousins would sit and eat together, play together and laugh together. But as time has passed, we’ve all moved on to our own lives in different parts of the world.

My grandparents have passed away, leaving their memories with us. I could almost see my grandpa sitting in his usual place, watching us fool around, not saying a word, yet with that satisfaction and joy quite apparent on his face.

A mixed set of emotions welled up inside me — the bittersweet symphony that memories sing. Hence, the result was this little poem, so all of us can be reminded how we must cherish every moment with our loved ones — because sooner or later, only memories remain.