The empathy she showed was not born into her
Rather it was born of her, her lot, her place
Reaching for the same silver coins we all do
But reduced to tears by adolescent gossip
And the curse of being different
"Why do they tease me mother?"
She was natures art project
"Your destiny is so much greater child."
She was the mouth piece of the universe
She grew evenly, like rising, rich, brown bread, soul, mind, light
And time handed her gifts as necessary, depth, love, understanding
On a hill outside of Vinton, Iowa she breathed her first revelation
If you could have seen her that day when her potential was unleashed
You would have seen her for what she was....captivating.
Hokey damn smokes, Bullwinkle. This went straight to the bone for me. I want a sampler with this poem stitched on it, to hang in my Gypsy wagon. Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa--where I have never been--but it sure felt like my mail you were reading. Wow.
ReplyDeleteGypsy wagon....I want a ride on the Gypsy wagon, and no that was not a hopeless and pathetic come on!!! I could just picture us pulling up to Kerry's house in the wagon singing Emmy Lou Harris tunes and chewing tabacky!!! Ohhhh Yeahhh. You get to hold the lantern.
DeleteMy door is always open to gypsies.. and friends.
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ReplyDeleteSuch good writing.
ReplyDelete"She was natures art project"
"She was the mouth piece of the universe
She grew evenly, like rising, rich, brown bread, soul, mind, light
And time handed her gifts as necessary"
"On a hill outside of Vinton, Iowa she breathed her first revelation"
This piece definitely fits Shay.
Thank you!!!
DeleteA lovely story!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in again, I appreciate it!!
DeleteI have been to Vinton, Iowa! A sense of place grounds a poem and sets it into the reality we are all familiar with, and more often than not that's going to keep me hanging in there with it, 'cause when they go too ethereal or abstract on me or there are faeries dancing around everywhere it loses me :) Wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteHa!! My wife's aunts live in Vinton and I find it a really strange and beautiful place. At least when you are not mowing lawns, clearing brush, or clearing brush some more.
DeleteI am glad she had a mother who told her her destiny was so much greater. Wish I had been told that as a child, would have saved a lot of floundering.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing you in that picture at your thirteenth birthday, this was probably you. Thanks Sherry!
DeleteShe grew evenly, like rising, rich, brown bread...I love that line. I can see it, smell it and eventually taste it. I too am glad her mother told her of a destiny greater. I am glad my mother told me this. I want a small covered cart to hitch behind the gypsy wagon and where no one can hear my singing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it made me hungry writing it...lol. thanks!!!
DeleteI too am captivated by the image of bread - of it being shaped, kneaded, folded, nurtured and left to rise - and grow - and then eventually, turning out with that rich, fresh, enfolding smell - and how simple it is for its inherent beauty -
ReplyDeleteand you've run away with this idea and fashioned it fine form here, in this piece .... leaves one feeling delightfully satisfied and not at all hungry ...
Thanks for the great review...I appreciate it!!!
DeleteWe all need a mother like that, and so many times the ones that are ridiculed in school, turn out to be amazing. But then again, they were amazing all along!!
ReplyDeleteExactly, thanks so much!
DeleteLovely writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
Delete'nature's art project' - that sticks with me, and feels like the heart of this poem. Beautifully written!
ReplyDeleteThank You!!!
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ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange to have someone special coming out in an ordinary place. Of course all our Mothers, and MIL's think we are the best, the smartest, and the most clever and talented. I enjoyed the read immensely, Corey, I too was different, but made the most of that. When I entered town high school as a junior in a larger high school, 52 juniors, they discounted my grades telling Mom that no one could have grades that high. I still graduated in the top five, not #1 or 2.
ReplyDeleteMy sister lives in Center Point, 17 road miles east of Vinton, about 12 crow miles. We sometimes go through Vinton taking the scenic route to Cedar Rapids.
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Hey Jim!!! Thanks for reading. My Wife's Aunts lived in Vinton and the rest of her family lives in Independence. Beautiful country. I love visiting there.
ReplyDeletenature's art project.. wow..that hit hard!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading!!!
DeleteAfter seeing her through your words, I can't imagine her as anything other than magnificent! Nature's art project. What an honor!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by M!!!
DeleteIf you could have seen her that day when her potential was unleashed
ReplyDeleteYou would have seen her for what she was....captivating
How satisfying Herotomost to capture someone at her most captivating self. Augers well for a warm relationship!
Hank
Thanks Hank!!!
DeleteYou have an enviable knack of creating mini portraits which are so authentic.. we all think we know this girl.. or knew her once, at least.
ReplyDeleteThanks SA!!!
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