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Open Poetry #7
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A Conversation with Michelle
| Open Poetry #7 |
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A Conversation with Michelle |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California 
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A Conversation with Michelle Remember Michelle when you took my hand and led me up that path where your imaginary friends lived and you called them names that came from birth of language those names ancient and preserved that were always there inside your head when you were two then still walking across the meadow of your three years rolling with the dogs in shadowed sun. You let me see them light up your face and I could listen to your one sided conversations your brown eyes crinkled up and I saw you before the laugh filling up and then when the sun hit your hair the light was so radiant that my breath would catch and you would shed your clothes like a nuisance that was not part of the feel of the air against your skin and the fabric of dog fur and porch railings that touched round belly and sturdy brown legs and once I caught you looking out the screen door at twilight in naked silhouette when the first coyote had barked his hunger into the canyon and the dogs clamored around you sniffing the air and something in you was so wise and wonderful and wild and you would throw your cares down with passionate howls when you were five said that you wished that you were dead and I could not see what dark storm touched your spirit and took you so violently from sweet when there was so much love for you and so many wonderful things to discover and then in your pink flannel with your cheeks flaming and so much bravery you found the jumping running grass and glee became you and you touched me again in magic with listening there to fold me in your small arms embrace when I was sad for you had vision and the air around told you feelings and you struggled so with the sanity of girls that tormented you with their pulled back friendship and schools and neighborhoods were outside your imagination’s control and you drew cats and dogs from far and wide to our doorstep with some inner whistle that took in all lost and lonely things in your eight years you took me and rearrange all my feelings and threw them up like feathers to dance around you and then you were gone and you were no longer a breath and it was like your mother went with you and what was left was only part of me missing you. [This message has been edited by Martie (edited 05-10-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Lucius Cade Member
since 2000-03-23
Posts 235Saskatchewan |
Oh my god. I think thats all I am going to say. oh my god.... Lucidity is the answer to all problems |
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bobbycat Member
since 2000-02-06
Posts 233USA |
...I can't stop the tears.....what a wonderful, magnificent tribute....you described her features, her soul, so clearly that I saw her....and she was beautiful.  Bobbycat =^..^= |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Martie... thank you...from my heart and soul... thank you for sharing this... all other words seem lost and suddenly unnecesary... take care, jm |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
Oh, Martie, tears. Tears. What an exquisite tribute to Michelle! Would I have permission to tell where to see how beautiful she was? Yes, she was beautiful. Enchanting. And now that I know even more about her, oh, what a special, special little soul! I was especially caught by your words " when the sun hit your hair the light was so radiant that my breath would catch". Your love for her, and hers for you was a love so deep I can feel it. I will never forget either you or Michelle. It's hard when Mother's Day is coming, isn't it? I'm struggling too. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thank you, Martie, for giving me permission. For any who want to see how beautiful Michelle was, and read some tender, beautiful poetry about her, by her mommy Martie, there are three pages in honor of her memory on my bereaved site. You can find "Michelle's Room" here: http://www.angelfire.com/zine/bereaved/michelleopen.html < !signature--> Â The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G. [This message has been edited by Rosemary J. Gwaltney (edited 05-10-2000).] |
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lucky Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601Idaho |
Not a good day at toll Martie, Dad and mom were married "mothers day," shant I say more. You know I'll mail all my life to you via e-mial. But it's a bad, bad, bad, day... not a good one at toll ...and too, I know your grief... So very much love dearest. Prayers Always, Dale Gwaltney If I could paint a portrait, of this life in which I've led, and somehow sketch a story, of the visions in my head, I'd start out with a canvas, stretched tightly in a frame, and in the bottom corner, I'd leave room to sign my name. (Michelle A. Bartley) |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Oh, my fragile-memoried friend~ Shed your tears of loss through the beautiful memories Michelle left with you. Smile through the tears of remembrance at the little elfin that was Michelle. She has 'crossed the river' and cavorts in naked abandon on the jumping - running grasses of eternity. I cry with you at the loss ... how my heart hugs you. I love you, Martie, my dear friend. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Brandyn Sand Member
since 2000-04-21
Posts 82Columbia, SC |
Oh my!  Such beauty, resulting from great sadness. Very, very, powerful lines at the end. Left me feeling *almost* speechless. *hugs* |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Oh, Martie, this is so touching. Thank you for sharing the essence of your little Michelle with us. This is a loving tribute to your little angel. HUGS *tears* Denise |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
I haven't any words, except to say thank you. I lost my twins years ago...they would be blossoming young ladies today. How you write with your heart! How you touch my own! Thank you many times over, Martie. This is the most remarkable, loving memoir of your Michelle... (((you))) ~ Claire |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh Martie ... you've captured her very essence. I feel as if I knew her ... what a wonderful tribute ... Much hugs, /Kit |
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Rosemary J. Gwaltney Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997northern mountains, Idaho |
Thank you, Martie, for giving me permission. For any who want to see how beautiful Michelle was, and read some tender, wonderful poetry about her, by her mommy Martie, there are three pages in honor of her memory on my bereaved site. You can find "Michelle's Room" here: http://www.angelfire.com/zine/bereaved/michelleopen.html ~ ~ ~ P.S. Martie, I tried to e-mail you this morning, and my e-mail said it couldn't send it, because your box was full... thought you might like to know. [This message has been edited by Rosemary J. Gwaltney (edited 05-10-2000).] |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
I am overwhelmed by the responses to this poem...last night I really just needed to talk to her and remember her the way she was, thus the poem. It has been many years since her death, yet sometimes she is as clear as yesterday and the grief from her death fills me. I want you to know though, that time has taken care of me, and Michelle gave me such a gift of learning in her passing...that changed my perception....but that's another poem. I know that she exists still and that knowledge fills me with sweetness. Thank you again for all your caring and loving words. Hugs! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Martie, thank you so much for sharing such a personal tribute with us, your words speak so clearly of the perceptions of a child, of love, and of grief. I can't think of a more fitting tribute to Michelle than the one you've presented here in her honor. Here charm and beauty is so evident in your words. A beautiful, touching poem that brings tears to my eyes, yet a warmth to my heart. God bless you, I love you my friend. Hugs Ruth |
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Corazon Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209 |
martie, you shared your soul, you shared her soul....am sitting here in tears...thank you this is incredible |
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