Loving the Rituals

[Lake]

Loving the Rituals

We stand face
to face. Our eyes
talk. Again, I press
it gently in your hand;
you give me a most
tender smile.

This intimacy, this
mother-daughter
relationship,
well wrapped in
the red envelope,
grows stronger as
years grow longer.

.

[Pauline]

Sometimes you don't need words do you.
Like you say, your eyes say it all.
This is so lovely Lake.

[David]

Is the red envelope a traditional thing, Lake? Or is it (another traditional thing, I know, but a universal one) a birthday card?

A tender moment, sweetly transcribed.

Cheers

David

[anniecat]

Loads of feeling in this, nice read thanks

[Danté]

Lake, I very much enjoyed the intimacy you have shared here and the cultural implications of the ritual you have shared in your poem.

I think there is much merit in Hóng Bāo or its relevant translation depending on the exact culture the ritual is derived from.
It´s a really special moment and I feel enriched to have been able to gain insight in respect of it, by way of reading your poem.

all the best

Danté

[gavin]

There is such a strong emotion between mother and daughter
a harnessing of love has always been there,

The eyes talking, wonder line,
when the mind and body make contact it becomes the deepest thing
between mother and daughter,

i also see a fundamental change in the last stanza;
the daughter is a mother now,

the most valuable characteristic of Chinese custom is a red envelope or small parcel.

a very good right.

[Lake]

Thank you all for the comments. I was afraid this was kind of too simple, but glad it was well received.

Pauline and Annie - Thanks for the emotional part.

David, Tim and gavin - Thank you for recognizing the "red envelop". Yes, it is a tradition: at family gatherings, children are given red envelopes (or red wraps) on special occasions such as birthdays, new year's day, or wedding days, with a certain amount of money. And the color of red symbolizes good luck and is supposed to drive evil spirits away.

Many thanks,

Lake

[Elf]

Hello Lake,

This is a different kind of poem for me. Usually I read and write poems where somewhere there is a deep sadness. So it was good to have a change, especially because I had a wonderful childhood and this reminds me of it. Where now love is lost.

thank you.

[Lake]

Hi Elf (a lovely name),

Thanks for reading and commenting. Glad you find something different.
I try to read different pomes and try to write differently, but most often the majority of my stuff appears simple and optimistic, even with poems that are sad in nature.

Looking forward to reading yours.

Cheers,

Lake