Warm And Tender Love

Garth Rakumakoe

I was ten, I remember, hearing Percy Sledge for the first time, singing Warm and Tender Love. It was a Sta-soft advert, a fabric softener brand. The imagery is still with me; vividly, the fabric softener falls gently on a comfy blanket in slow-mo, whilst the song plays. That for me was the best feeling to reach inside the tv and borrow. He was singing an anomaly, Percy. Something unreal to my existence. I knew that despite being unequal to the task of expressing it. Yet he sang it so well little did I know it would become the unheard humming soundtrack on many playing days. I knew it had to be real, somewhere inside, and looked forward to the commercial all the time.

 

It wasn't until quite later in life though, that I could understand the life-long question mark attached to the acute sting in the lyrics for me; that it was asking what love is, and what it means. I guess some things are indelible like that. The feeling of it takes on new meaning now, in the eyes of my little one, singing along innocently, having no idea how different it once felt, and how much more a gift her voice is to me, softening the fabrics of these once broken strings, even long after the scars have healed. My teardrops today, are pennies, and my heartaches are gold.

  • Author: Garth Rakumakoe (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: July 19th, 2023 08:54
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 14
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Comments4

  • Violet bluebell( used to be yellow rose)

    A good writing
    Especially like these words

    Today, my teardrops are pennies, and my heartaches are gold.

    Sadness turned into joy )

    Difficult when we donโ€™t feel enough love then we have to somehow find it within ourselves and from other people

    Nice that you have a child ..

    We all need to feel love from someone else

    And learn how to love ourselves I guess

    • Garth Rakumakoe

      Comforting words, vb. Thank you so much for the appreciation. #Gratitude.

    • Jennifer George

      Your reflection on the passage of time and how your perspective has evolved, especially through the eyes and innocence of your little one, is really heartwarming. The transformative power of love and the way it can heal past wounds, leaving behind valuable memories and a renewed appreciation for the present. Sooo good!!



      • Garth Rakumakoe

        Thank you, fellow Poet. Your synopsis is stunning! Couldn't have said it better. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿผ

      • Neville


        change is the only constant .. yet few see it as a friend ..
        I can still make out where I'm coming from tho halfway round the bend .. N

        • Garth Rakumakoe

          A word of truth certainly, Neville. Thank you for the kind visit.

        • Parisab

          Your poem coneys that as a child you were deeply moved by music and imagery: the inner workings of a good poet-Your poem left an impression, thank you

          • Garth Rakumakoe

            Oh thank you so much dear Poet. Coming from a pen such as yours, it is appreciated highly.



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