I am participating in the 6th Write Tribe Festival of Words. I hope to blog for seven days in a row. The theme for Day 5 is “Write a letter.”
A Letter to You
Dear you,
One of my friends suggested I write. He believes that writing can be cathartic. I don’t know if it can be, but I am trying. I have held on to your memory since the time you left. And I don’t know how long it will be till I can let go completely.
I wish you hadn’t left so soon. We had so much time together, but I wanted to make more memories. I wanted to take a photo where you had your toothy grin, and your eyes twinkled with mischief. You may not have known it, but it lit up the world around you. I wanted to hear your voice, how easily it could ease my fears. You made me listen, and I calmed down enough to listen to my own voice. I wanted to hold your hand, wondering if I could ease your worries.
I wanted you to read what I wrote. You had always pushed me to write better. I wanted to walk with you, talking about those days that made us smile. I wanted to talk about the books I had read, the words that had made me speechless. You were one who could understand that part of me. One of the very few who could. I wanted to tell you how easily your temper flared, and how I wished you hadn’t become silent when you didn’t get your way.
Most of all, I wanted to tell you once again that you mattered to me.
Many have asked me why I chose to write this letter on an old typewriter. Maybe it is the sound of the keys that calms me. It sounds rhythmic at a time when life seems to have no rhythm. No. It is because if I type “I MISS YOU”, no one can tell me to erase them.
Knowing you might never read these words…
Me.
You can read some of my earlier posts for Write Tribe – here.
(© Vinay Leo R. @ I Rhyme Without Reason,
9th August, 2017)
Vinay Leo R.
Poetry & writing are to me, a breath of fresh air in a life that is sometimes covered by the smoke of sorrow or self doubt. They also become the sweets I share to celebrate when life offers me a reason to. But most of all, they are to me, my life. For each word I write is a piece of my heart, a thought that just had to find its way into the world.
Beautifully poignant. I have no more words.. This is a beautiful letter.
Thank you so much, Ishieta. Glad you liked it.
I completely agree with missing the typewriter . I still bang on the keyboard thinking it’s one . I specially miss the ting of the carriage as it rolls on to the next line and the odd letters that jump out of line .
Haha. Yes, Sunitha. I remember having tried a typewriter once, and then hit hard on the computer keyboard. I was yelled at, of course.
That’s a lovely letter you have written and I am sure, years later you will read this letter with fondness. I loved the part about typewriter. Beautifully written.
(Rajlakshmi recently posted… Poetry: I wrote you a letter once, but #writebravely)
Thanks, Raji. I’m not sure if I’ll read it with fondness, but maybe I might have accepted by then.
Straight from the heart. I hope “you” reads this someday.
May happen, may not happen. 🙂 Depends on the “you”. But it’s okay either way, Apeksha.
Thats a really lovely one Vinay- Writing is indeed cathartic (for me atheist) the nostalgia of writing on a typewriter or a handwritten letter has its own sweet charm
(akshata recently posted… Letter to a feminist from the 50’s #WTFOW #WriteBravely)
Thank you, Akshata. Yeah. Writing it out really helps. I have seen that before. 🙂
Writing is indeed cathartic Vinay. Whether or not the words are read by anyone, once you get your feelings out, it feels much better.
(Kala Ravi recently posted… You’ve got Mail)
I know. I’ve felt its effect. But at times, the mood overwhelms the understanding, KRS. 🙂
Beautifully written, Vinay. I know for many of the previous generation, typewriters gave a sense of comfort. I used to type on my Dad’s typewriter as a child, and used to be greatly fascinated by the keys that made a certain clanging metallic sound. Your post reminded me of it.
Glad you felt it was beautifully written, Esha. And that it triggered a happy memory for you.
I used to learn typing and shorthand as a kid – my parents made me take it up thinking they are valuable skills. I never got to use them as by the time I moved into the professional world, computers had tkaen over everywhere. I used to be fascinated with my grandfathers typewriter and would hear him typing on it all night!
(SHALINI BAISIWALA recently posted… | Day-5 | Letter – Sigh, Swoon & Drool #writingbravely | WriteTribe – Festival of Words 2017 |)
Good that the post triggered a happy memory for you, Shalini.
People leave Da. All the time. They just waltz out when we least expect it, either out of choice or because there’s no other option. It is us, the ones who are left behind who struggle. But there’s no point holding on and wishing of the might have beens. It is good for us to move on, keep the memories but not the feelings because they weigh you down. And yet, sometimes we cannot stop grieving.
Hugs.
Things happen, life happens and we keep on living.
(Bhavya recently posted… A Letter To My Dad #WriteBravely)
I know. It is difficult to stop grieving at times, and yet, we have to. We have to stop holding on.
As we say, “This too shall pass.” Alle, Ishi?
“… noone can tell me to erase them.” I can understand this.
Writing is therapeutic, especially when you have to get out something like from mind to the open world.
I thought you might, after I read your letter earlier, SSJ. And yes, I know it is therapeutic. I have felt it before.
Ah! This brought back some memories. I had learnt typing for 2 months during summer vacations. I think I was in class 9th then. Never used it after that. But there’s something beautiful about writing using a typewriter and also love its sounds.
(Shilpa Garg recently posted… Kabootar Ja Ja Ja)
Sounds lovely, SG. Happy that this letter brought back those nice memories.
A letter from the heart, for sure! 🙂 so beautiful!
Thank you, Z.
Leo, this was so sweet .Whi is this letter directed at ?I hope you get what you seek.I am at a loss of words.Its painful yet sweet.This letter.
(Amrita recently posted… Writing a letter to the Universe:Does it work? #writebravely)
It is directed at a “you”. It can be one of quite a few people actually, Amrita. Glad you liked it.
“if I type “I MISS YOU”, no one can tell me to erase them.” So poignant. Lovely letter, speaks of love and longing so beautifully.
(Modern Gypsy recently posted… Unsent letters #WriteBravely)
Thank you, Gypsy. Glad that you felt so.
Hi Vinay! I visited your blog for the first time a few days back when you wrote a fantastic piece around the map prompt. I loved your short story but did´t leave a comment behind. I will do so in a few mins. This one is as much a treat as my first read. I will be coming back for more for sure after these two delightful reads. I loved the old typewriter too…it had a nice vintage charm just like the old telephone too…God! You are making me miss my childhood so bad now. Loved the sound of the noisy but rhythmic typewriter too..the magical way the letters would get printed and it shifts to the next line….was a beautiful process altogether. Cheers!
Welcome to my blog, Tina. Glad you liked the post, and felt it brought back memories of the typewriter. Cheers.
That is so sad. But, think of the good days and be happy.
(Lata Sunil recently posted… A letter to Opposite flat Aunty #writebravely #WTFOW)
Yes. That’s there too. Thanks, Lata.
What a letter! Totally loved it.
(Sreedeep recently posted… A Father’s Letter)
Thanks, Sreedeep.
Such a poignant letter for ‘You’. You have expressed your thoughts beautifully, Vinay.
(Vinitha recently posted… A letter to my love #FestivalOfWords #writebravely)
Thank you, Vinitha.
Beautifully written letter vinay ! I have never used a type writer but sure can relate to the essence of a hand written letter! (Wrote few myself :P).
Thank you, Keerthi. Yeah, I’ve used typewriter maybe once or twice, years back. But definitely handwritten a few. 🙂
I used a typewriter only once in my lifetime. That was when I had visited my father’s office ages back when I was a wee tot. Beautifully written piece Vinay. 🙂
Thank you very much, Venice. 🙂