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Open Poetry #12
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Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2001-02-08 09:47 PM



Pigtail Priorities (as it should be)

There are moments
of remembrance
when old and young meet

remembrance for the old
and memories to make
of remembrances to come
for the young…

as it should be

tonight I experienced
again
a déjà vu of sorts

encompassing three
generations
and it was a good thing…

my granddaughter asked
"will you do my hair?"
and as I gathered brush
and comb
she continued
"into pigtails, please?"

so I asked her if, before I
honored her request,
if I may just please
brush her hair
for a little while,
playing with the silken texture,

while intermittently rubbing
her back and massaging
her shoulders

as I used to do with my
daughters when they were
young and eight years old…

as my mother did for me…

as it should be

as the ice storm rages outside
we are close and warm
tonight
talking of possibly no school
tomorrow…
perhaps no work, either…

as moments wend their
way toward memories then,
she shifts and sits comfortably
in my lap
with the dog at her feet
allowing me my time
to sift my fingers
and feel the silk
before I start to plait
her hair into the
braids she
wants
for
bedtime…

and as we watch
"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"
together, we chat a little
and she suddenly says
"let me do your hair"
and I smile at the
additional memories to
be made

just as I had allowed
my girls
and my mother had
allowed with me

so we switch places
and she comments on
my short, short hair
and notes the
gray

for she is the pretend beautician now,
and I the client…

and she mimics the washing
of my hair, her tiny fingers
working over my scalp,
then feigns to cut
my invisible tresses, fingers again
pretending to scissor along the
nape of my neck
sending delicious shivery
goosebumps
down my back and
onto my arms and legs…

just as I remembered…

as I shiver,
she giggles

and a memory is born on
her laughter
which holds echoes of the
past

as it should be

someday she might read this
to her granddaughters
while they plait hair
into braids before
bedtime, making
remembrances
of generations

as it should be


02.08.01


Karilea
If I whisper, will you listen?...
I would rather be silent and write, than speak loudly and be bound.
KRJ




© Copyright 2001 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Nan
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
1 posted 2001-02-08 09:54 PM


Yes, "as it should be," indeed... Cassandra and I lie in bed together and giggle over "Knock Knock" jokes.... "as it should be"

I'm smiling... "as I should be"..

laryalee
Member
since 2000-06-19
Posts 352
Alberta, Canada
2 posted 2001-02-08 10:40 PM


Oh Sunshine, what love you've embedded in this wonderful tale...so astutely and delicately defined...your granddaughter is fortunate!
Lary

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2001-02-08 11:21 PM


Karilea~
Moist eyes here with the flood of memories~
'as it should be, indeed ...

Oh, girl ... how I love this one.
So close - so tenderly personal ... how I love it.
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~


~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2001-02-09 12:13 PM


Karilea---wonderful!!  As it should be.
VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
5 posted 2001-02-09 12:45 PM


This is so wonderfully wonderful!  It has brought strong memories of time much too long ago.  It will not surprise me if my own poem on this subject will ensue.  My will likely be a painful one, but as I explore it, I do know that feelings of love and joy will also surface.  Thank you for this wondrous inspiration.  And surely it is so that your daughter will treasure this and share it.

May I take a copy of it?  It is so lovely.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2001-02-09 01:18 PM


Ladies all....thank you....and who of you had a father who had patience to rope those braids as well?...{~,^}....I did....

David2
Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 407

7 posted 2001-02-10 05:34 PM


Sunshine,
   Thank you for alowing us a glimpse into charming memories of your past and new borne memories of your present . I enjoyed the ride.
                   David2

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
8 posted 2001-02-10 05:49 PM


And thank you for reading, David...

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