woman and child at the zoo (Library of Congress)‘Moments Matter’: A Poem by Gigi Ryan The Society February 12, 2025 Beauty, Humor, Poetry 23 Comments . Moments Matter When my daughter was just three __I took her to the zoo. She laughed and smiled and had a blast __And I myself did, too. My friends said, “Why did you do that? __She will not recall The day you took her to the zoo, __At least not much at all.” Well, even when particulars __Of places, dates, and times Aren’t recalled most moments make __Impressions in our lives. Maybe someday when I’m old __She’ll visit her homeplace, And maybe I won’t know her name __When I behold her face. Perhaps her friends had warned her not __To waste her afternoon Visiting her mother who’d __Forget about it soon. But when I see her laugh and smile __I think I’ll recollect A time I saw those happy eyes __And memory will reflect Upon a time from days gone by __And I will tell a tale, To someone who reminds me of __A precious little girl, Of when my daughter was just three: __I took her to the zoo. She laughed and smiled and had a blast __And I myself did, too. . . The Winter Wren —a true story My pussycat is stalking, prowling, tense; I wonder what has stirred her discontent. She hears a twitter and she strikes a pose Preparing now to come to deadly blows. I fear a flying squirrel or worse a bat; Prepare my casket if it is a rat. This house has holes and lots of stuff gets in; More than once a snake has left his skin. Well, look here, it’s a wren—poor little dear! Escaping will be hard for her I fear. Perhaps she needed warming by the fire, But got more than she wanted or desired. I open up the windows even though It’s twelve degrees outside and we have snow. It’s surely safer out than in for her; I think that this is what she would prefer. Is this the wren that summers on my porch? She hops around the mantle in her search For safety then she flutters off to rest On the fan blades to survey the best Way to exit from this crazy cage— It’s warm but not worth kitty’s growing rage. I do not see or hear her anymore; Maybe she’s escaped by the front door Which revolves with children going from Fire to snow and snow to fire with numb Toes and fingers. Unlike birdie they May choose the cozy or the cold today. . . Gigi Ryan is a wife, mother, grandmother, and home educator. She lives in rural Tennessee. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. 23 Responses Roy Eugene Peterson February 12, 2025 These are two precious poems that reveal your great sensitivity to life and living. There is always a wistful caring touch to your wonderful poems that washes over my mind stimulating my own sensitivities. Such moments, as you described, are kept in our storehouse we call memory to be called upon in the future and bring a smile of happiness in reminiscing. Reply Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Roy, Your comment has really blessed me this morning. To reach another’s sensitivities with my words is among my goals in writing. I once read a book about teaching writing that claimed that the majority of teaching children to write was giving them something to write about in the first place – not just topics, but experiences. As you say, we store moments in our storehouses to be called upon in the future. It is definitely one of the advantages of growing older and therefore having a fuller memory storehouse, giving us material for writing and reminiscing, not to mention that great value of accumulated wisdom. Gigi Reply Mark Stellinga February 12, 2025 These are very touching pieces, Gigi, particularly ‘Moments Matter’. You couldn’t be much righter about how critical even a not-thoroughly-comprehended experience so often proves to be in ones Autumn years. VERY nice – -:) Reply Mark Stellinga February 12, 2025 🙂 Gigi – this is, for me, a common hunt-n-peck malfunction – Reply Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Mark, I am happy to have touched you with these poems. I have many kindred spirits in appreciating that experiences matter even if they are not remembered. Gigi Reply Yael February 12, 2025 Both poems are very enjoyable to read. I can totally relate to your sweet bird and pussycat story, because this stuff happens here on my farm in south-east Tennessee all the time. My favorite of the two though is Moments Matter. It immediately reminded me of Harry Chapin’s song Cat’s In The Cradle, which started out as a poem which his wife wrote and he later set to music. I like being reminded of this message as often as possible, because I want to go to heaven some day, and I understand that heaven is based on relationships, not performance. I appreciate that your poem is a thoroughly female version of the Cat’s In The Cradle theme, thank you. Reply Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Yael, To have put you in mind of the song, Cat’s in the Cradle is a great honor to me. I love that song and it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I didn’t know that song was a poem that his wife wrote. Thank you for sharing that. Gigi Reply James Sale February 12, 2025 Moments do matter! I have just this very day come back from babysitting and spending a whole morning with my 22-month old granddaughter: “She laughed and smiled and had a blast __And I myself did, too.” Excellent! Reply Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear James, I am glad to have written something so imminently relatable. I am confident that the time we, as grandparents, spend with our young grandchildren is an investment worth every minute, even if we do not see the fruit in our time. I, too, have a 22 year old grandchild that I see very often. What joy! Gigi Reply James Sale February 13, 2025 Gigi – mine is 22-months old, not 22 years!!! You can’t have a 22 year old grandchild, can you? Heck, you look far too young! Gigi Ryan February 13, 2025 Not sure what happened there – yes, James, the grandchild I was referring to is 22 MONTHS old, not 22 years! My oldest grandchild is only 7. Gigi Paul A. Freeman February 12, 2025 I’ve always found that children get a buzz out of being told about these experiences they were too young to remember – the more bizarre, the better – until, of course we reach an age where we tell the same story every time we see them. As for the Winter Wren, that last stanza is brilliant, contrasting our nostalgic view of snow and winter with the life and death situation in Nature. Reply Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Paul, I have never thought about how children get excited when they hear about experiences they had before they could recall them. But imagine if they asked about their younger years and we had nothing at all to report! That was actually part of the inspiration of the poem. Comedian Nate Bargatze was talking about when he took he two year old daughter to Disney and he friends all said, “But she won’t remember it!” He replied, “Should I lock her into a closet until she remembers what happens yesterday?” And he said he enjoyed watching her have fun. And I thought that was beautiful. Months after I heard his story, some of my grown children were taking their toddlers to the zoo and the invited me. They worked so hard to give those kids a good day. I know it would have been easier (and cheaper) to have stayed home. But we made memories and took pictures and had a blast. And I came home and wrote the poem, Moments Matter. Gigi Reply Warren Bonham February 12, 2025 Both of these were great! Moments Matter really hit the bullseye with me. We’re empty nesters now (no grandkids yet) and my wife and I often think about the moments we remember that our kids have no recollection of. We have the other extreme covered with a father-in-law living nearby who is starting to forget. We are now the ones keeping various memories alive but, as you point out, it won’t be long before another performs that important function for us. Reply Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Warren, Edith Shaffer wrote a book called, “What is a Family?” I read it decades ago but still remember it. One of her chapters was called, “A Family is a Museum of Memories.” And that is exactly what you are talking about. You said, “We are now the ones keeping the various memories alive but, as you point out, it won’t be long before another performs that important function for us.” Keeping track of memories is important! Even the Bible tells us this. It has so many stories in it that God wants His children to remember. Gigi Reply Margaret Coats February 12, 2025 Yes, Gigi, moments matter for all of us! My best friend and I now live about an hour’s drive apart, and how many times have we neglected opportunities to visit! Sure, we can talk on the phone, and those moments matter too, but being together is not to be missed. Your repeating the first stanza of the poem as the last is a good way to emphasize the importance of simple shared experiences as relationship builders. “The Winter Wren” tells of another kind of experience, one where a human being cannot best manage life for animals. I’m sure you had a sense of limitations as you opened the windows, not knowing what would happen. Again you end the poem well to speak of the choice between cold and cozy, which is not always possible or safe for those you might like to help. Best wishes for spring, living in that house with holes where lots of stuff gets in. Reply Gigi Ryan February 13, 2025 Dear Margaret, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I agree that face to face is superior to talking on the phone, or even lower on the communication scale, by text. To look one another in the eye, to see one another’s expression, and have the opportunity for physical touch are irreplaceable for building and maintaining relationships. Gigi Reply Shamik Banerjee February 12, 2025 Your first poem strikes a chord by highlighting the joy and significance of framing memories in the album of our minds through its powerful lyricism. Coincidentally, I was watching an Indian movie yesterday titled “Three of Us,” wherein the female protagonist, diagnosed with dementia and fearing the impending day when every print of her past would be effaced, visits her childhood town and a dear school friend. In the final scene, when she morosely expresses her fear of forgetting him one day, the friend softly replies, “So what? I will remember you.” I think this is all that matters: to leave our imprints in another’s mind. Your second poem is exemplary of natural rhythm, storytelling, and enjambment. Thank you for sharing these Gigi. God bless! Reply Gigi Ryan February 13, 2025 Dear Shamik, The line from the movie you mentioned, “I will remember it for you,” is beautiful. My mother-in-law lived with us for 9 months a few years ago. She had dementia. She repeated things so very often, especially her favorite stories. It was wearisome at times, but now that she is gone, we realize we can all quote her verbatim due to her repetition. We will carry her stories and sayings on to another generation and “remember them for her.” Gigi Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant February 13, 2025 Gigi, I love the joyful bounce of “Moments Matter” and I have fallen in love with the sentiment – and that’s because I can feel the beautiful heart and soul of the poem beating throughout. I love the way you link non-comprehension of a tot with the fading faculties of aging souls with dementia. It all lies in the joy of the moment… a joy that lingers and leaves its mark forever. This poem puts me in mind of my late grandfather who suffered with vascular dementia. When saying goodbye after lunch one day, he hugged me, kissed my cheek and told me I was a lovely lady, it was a pleasure to meet me, and he hoped we could lunch again. His brain couldn’t place my face, but the memories swirling within filled the moment with love and joy… his words were based on years of making memories… memories that nestle in my heart and make me the woman I am today. Gigi, thank you! Reply Gigi Ryan February 15, 2025 Dear Susan, You are welcome. Thank you for commenting. I love this story of your grandfather. So often what we think is a gift to someone else – time invested in a small child or an adult with dementia -turns out to be our blessing, long recalled. I carry with me many memories of my parents (each of whom died of Alzheimer’s) that will be with me and affect me the rest of my life. Gigi Reply Michael Pietrack February 13, 2025 Moments Matter – I didn’t see that coming. It made me cry, Gigi. Reply Gigi Ryan February 15, 2025 Dear Michael, Thank you for sharing its effect on you. I am blessed that my words have successfully communicated what caused many a shed tear in myself as well. Gigi Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Roy Eugene Peterson February 12, 2025 These are two precious poems that reveal your great sensitivity to life and living. There is always a wistful caring touch to your wonderful poems that washes over my mind stimulating my own sensitivities. Such moments, as you described, are kept in our storehouse we call memory to be called upon in the future and bring a smile of happiness in reminiscing. Reply
Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Roy, Your comment has really blessed me this morning. To reach another’s sensitivities with my words is among my goals in writing. I once read a book about teaching writing that claimed that the majority of teaching children to write was giving them something to write about in the first place – not just topics, but experiences. As you say, we store moments in our storehouses to be called upon in the future. It is definitely one of the advantages of growing older and therefore having a fuller memory storehouse, giving us material for writing and reminiscing, not to mention that great value of accumulated wisdom. Gigi Reply
Mark Stellinga February 12, 2025 These are very touching pieces, Gigi, particularly ‘Moments Matter’. You couldn’t be much righter about how critical even a not-thoroughly-comprehended experience so often proves to be in ones Autumn years. VERY nice – -:) Reply
Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Mark, I am happy to have touched you with these poems. I have many kindred spirits in appreciating that experiences matter even if they are not remembered. Gigi Reply
Yael February 12, 2025 Both poems are very enjoyable to read. I can totally relate to your sweet bird and pussycat story, because this stuff happens here on my farm in south-east Tennessee all the time. My favorite of the two though is Moments Matter. It immediately reminded me of Harry Chapin’s song Cat’s In The Cradle, which started out as a poem which his wife wrote and he later set to music. I like being reminded of this message as often as possible, because I want to go to heaven some day, and I understand that heaven is based on relationships, not performance. I appreciate that your poem is a thoroughly female version of the Cat’s In The Cradle theme, thank you. Reply
Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Yael, To have put you in mind of the song, Cat’s in the Cradle is a great honor to me. I love that song and it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I didn’t know that song was a poem that his wife wrote. Thank you for sharing that. Gigi Reply
James Sale February 12, 2025 Moments do matter! I have just this very day come back from babysitting and spending a whole morning with my 22-month old granddaughter: “She laughed and smiled and had a blast __And I myself did, too.” Excellent! Reply
Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear James, I am glad to have written something so imminently relatable. I am confident that the time we, as grandparents, spend with our young grandchildren is an investment worth every minute, even if we do not see the fruit in our time. I, too, have a 22 year old grandchild that I see very often. What joy! Gigi Reply
James Sale February 13, 2025 Gigi – mine is 22-months old, not 22 years!!! You can’t have a 22 year old grandchild, can you? Heck, you look far too young!
Gigi Ryan February 13, 2025 Not sure what happened there – yes, James, the grandchild I was referring to is 22 MONTHS old, not 22 years! My oldest grandchild is only 7. Gigi
Paul A. Freeman February 12, 2025 I’ve always found that children get a buzz out of being told about these experiences they were too young to remember – the more bizarre, the better – until, of course we reach an age where we tell the same story every time we see them. As for the Winter Wren, that last stanza is brilliant, contrasting our nostalgic view of snow and winter with the life and death situation in Nature. Reply
Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Paul, I have never thought about how children get excited when they hear about experiences they had before they could recall them. But imagine if they asked about their younger years and we had nothing at all to report! That was actually part of the inspiration of the poem. Comedian Nate Bargatze was talking about when he took he two year old daughter to Disney and he friends all said, “But she won’t remember it!” He replied, “Should I lock her into a closet until she remembers what happens yesterday?” And he said he enjoyed watching her have fun. And I thought that was beautiful. Months after I heard his story, some of my grown children were taking their toddlers to the zoo and the invited me. They worked so hard to give those kids a good day. I know it would have been easier (and cheaper) to have stayed home. But we made memories and took pictures and had a blast. And I came home and wrote the poem, Moments Matter. Gigi Reply
Warren Bonham February 12, 2025 Both of these were great! Moments Matter really hit the bullseye with me. We’re empty nesters now (no grandkids yet) and my wife and I often think about the moments we remember that our kids have no recollection of. We have the other extreme covered with a father-in-law living nearby who is starting to forget. We are now the ones keeping various memories alive but, as you point out, it won’t be long before another performs that important function for us. Reply
Gigi Ryan February 12, 2025 Dear Warren, Edith Shaffer wrote a book called, “What is a Family?” I read it decades ago but still remember it. One of her chapters was called, “A Family is a Museum of Memories.” And that is exactly what you are talking about. You said, “We are now the ones keeping the various memories alive but, as you point out, it won’t be long before another performs that important function for us.” Keeping track of memories is important! Even the Bible tells us this. It has so many stories in it that God wants His children to remember. Gigi Reply
Margaret Coats February 12, 2025 Yes, Gigi, moments matter for all of us! My best friend and I now live about an hour’s drive apart, and how many times have we neglected opportunities to visit! Sure, we can talk on the phone, and those moments matter too, but being together is not to be missed. Your repeating the first stanza of the poem as the last is a good way to emphasize the importance of simple shared experiences as relationship builders. “The Winter Wren” tells of another kind of experience, one where a human being cannot best manage life for animals. I’m sure you had a sense of limitations as you opened the windows, not knowing what would happen. Again you end the poem well to speak of the choice between cold and cozy, which is not always possible or safe for those you might like to help. Best wishes for spring, living in that house with holes where lots of stuff gets in. Reply
Gigi Ryan February 13, 2025 Dear Margaret, Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I agree that face to face is superior to talking on the phone, or even lower on the communication scale, by text. To look one another in the eye, to see one another’s expression, and have the opportunity for physical touch are irreplaceable for building and maintaining relationships. Gigi Reply
Shamik Banerjee February 12, 2025 Your first poem strikes a chord by highlighting the joy and significance of framing memories in the album of our minds through its powerful lyricism. Coincidentally, I was watching an Indian movie yesterday titled “Three of Us,” wherein the female protagonist, diagnosed with dementia and fearing the impending day when every print of her past would be effaced, visits her childhood town and a dear school friend. In the final scene, when she morosely expresses her fear of forgetting him one day, the friend softly replies, “So what? I will remember you.” I think this is all that matters: to leave our imprints in another’s mind. Your second poem is exemplary of natural rhythm, storytelling, and enjambment. Thank you for sharing these Gigi. God bless! Reply
Gigi Ryan February 13, 2025 Dear Shamik, The line from the movie you mentioned, “I will remember it for you,” is beautiful. My mother-in-law lived with us for 9 months a few years ago. She had dementia. She repeated things so very often, especially her favorite stories. It was wearisome at times, but now that she is gone, we realize we can all quote her verbatim due to her repetition. We will carry her stories and sayings on to another generation and “remember them for her.” Gigi Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant February 13, 2025 Gigi, I love the joyful bounce of “Moments Matter” and I have fallen in love with the sentiment – and that’s because I can feel the beautiful heart and soul of the poem beating throughout. I love the way you link non-comprehension of a tot with the fading faculties of aging souls with dementia. It all lies in the joy of the moment… a joy that lingers and leaves its mark forever. This poem puts me in mind of my late grandfather who suffered with vascular dementia. When saying goodbye after lunch one day, he hugged me, kissed my cheek and told me I was a lovely lady, it was a pleasure to meet me, and he hoped we could lunch again. His brain couldn’t place my face, but the memories swirling within filled the moment with love and joy… his words were based on years of making memories… memories that nestle in my heart and make me the woman I am today. Gigi, thank you! Reply
Gigi Ryan February 15, 2025 Dear Susan, You are welcome. Thank you for commenting. I love this story of your grandfather. So often what we think is a gift to someone else – time invested in a small child or an adult with dementia -turns out to be our blessing, long recalled. I carry with me many memories of my parents (each of whom died of Alzheimer’s) that will be with me and affect me the rest of my life. Gigi Reply
Michael Pietrack February 13, 2025 Moments Matter – I didn’t see that coming. It made me cry, Gigi. Reply
Gigi Ryan February 15, 2025 Dear Michael, Thank you for sharing its effect on you. I am blessed that my words have successfully communicated what caused many a shed tear in myself as well. Gigi Reply
