Flamingos
I had no idea that Flamingos would become important to me
My son loved them and I loved seeing the fun, outrageous
ways that he incorporated them into his life
Like, the 5 foot metal statue in his apartment,
flamingo slippers, flamingo clothing, and sun glasses
Since his death, flamingos have made me smile because
they remind me of the fun side of his personality that
was sometimes hidden behind the illness that he battled
on a daily basis, it often overshadowed his personality
and his huge giving heart, would be raw and hurting
I try to keep the good memories flowing, but the pain
of his mental health journey keeps coming to the surface,
and flamingos were a special part of his journey, that
he chose to embrace in the midst of his illness, and they made
him smile and gave him happiness in the midst of pain
So, when I saw a huge sequin flamingo for sale yesterday,
I knew it needed to become part of my life, so I am
trying to find the perfect space for this monstrosity and other
loud, beautiful, pink reminders that my son was a fun,
special, beautiful person that I will always love, no matter what!
5 thoughts on "Flamingos"
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I am so sorry you lost your son. This poem is a beautiful remembrance of him. I read that flamingos gain their “loud, beautiful pink” color from the carotenoids in what they eat—they’re born white or gray.
May all those who wrestle with a heart too large for this world find their perspective colored fun (to whatever degree possible) by the spirit of what these birds represented to your son, you, and now us.
A fine tribute. Bless your hearts.
Such a beautiful tribute and I will never look at flamingos the same anymore!
This a great poem. I love that the flamingos represent your son. Such a sad poem but also joyful. It’s beautiful. Thank you.
Beautiful tribute to your son.
You show hints of his personality in:
” 5 foot metal statue in his apartment,
flamingo slippers, flamingo clothing, and sun glasses”
And love your action in memory of him:
“saw a huge sequin flamingo for sale yesterday,
I knew it needed to become part of my life,”