Image: Angela Elliot
Uncle Max was proud of the photo
He called it ‘The Lunchbox of Treasures.’
Innocence captured in three poses.
What happened to your childhood?
Was it him who bulldozed you
Into rebellion?
Disowned.
The shame of hidden children.
The box of treasures more akin to Pandora
Your girly virtue replaced by unprecedented belligerence.
Persecution became your default
Alienation from family
Wandering the world
A law unto yourself.
In time you returned
Lived in isolation
Bitter, angry, resentful.
My father had a soft spot for you
Went to visit.
Unpleasant was what he called you.
This photo is all that remains of your childhood.
I placed it on your coffin
In your final days I did visit
A frail aged shell of a woman
No anger no aggression
Difficult when you are hooked to a machine.
I sat with you
Your visitor’s book virginal.
I rubbed your wrinkled hand
Felt your grip as you held mine
In your eyes I saw your fear
Each day as you hung on to a life
Long gone, forgotten, but you remembered.
Fearful of questions in the next life?
I held you in those moments
There were no words
Our eyes met, messages passed
You found love again Dear Aunt
With your lunchbox of treasures
You came home.
Written for: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/photo-challenge-23-lunchbox/
Morpethroad 
Michael, that is so beautiful, you got me teary reading this.
Thank you Jenny, glad you were able to respond.
That I did ~ thank you
What I got out of this is; don’t be an angry, bitter, disappointed person in life, because it sucks when at the end of it, you almost have no one, and a whole lot of regrets. A person shouldn’t wait till the end of life to begin living it. It was well done Michael.
Thank you Jackie I agree with you. Look always for the good in life.
Oh wow I agree with Jenny this is truly exceptional, a tortured character portrait
Thank you Yves it was an excellent prompt this week. Glad you enjoyed my effort.
Always and I am so glad you liked the prompt
A bittersweet story.
It was. Thanks as always for dropping by.
Well written, as the flow of the lines, and breaks really contribute to the word choices and evoke the feelings of a life – lived – but lost – and perhaps, not lived “well and truly” without remorse or regret.
Powerful and moving – and the sensitivity of someone reaching out – offering peace and compassion, in the end – lovely choice of words.
Thank you Pat, I appreciate your comments.