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Open Poetry #21
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Clam Bake
| Open Poetry #21 |
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Clam Bake |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion 
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Clam Bake Six families arrive on the quiet, north shore, station wagons like pre-trendy low riders, weighed down by bodies and summer’s trappings. A huge, old house opens its arms - we pour ourselves in, filling every level surface and staking out bits of territory. For the next six days, there is no outside world, we comprise the whole of it, and rejoice in the simple tasks of cooking, eating, swimming and sleeping together, doors and windows thrown open – the dull lulling pulse of the ocean making for easy dreams. The men set out early on Sunday morning, first to harvest the lobster traps, then head out to trawl, while the women go into town to purchase bread, potatoes and wine. We kids have the duty of digging for Littlenecks and searching the rocky reef for crabs – our screaming drowned out by the crush of high tide. Early afternoon, a huge pot is placed atop a red-hot fire ring, then filled with water and clam juice. We start by dropping in potatoes and onions, grandma sprinkles her secret blend of spices. While sourdough bread is warmed near the coals, the lobster, crabs, fish and clams are tossed into the pot with much ceremony. The neighbors arrive with an ice bucket of beer and pop - and watermelon for dessert. We invite everyone within walking distance to join us. We sup and later lay like seals in warm sand. © 2002 C.M. Bailey |
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| © Copyright 2002 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Make sure grandma shares that secret blend.... a wonderful feel, this poem... |
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Krishankins
since 2002-06-23
Posts 972Texas |
Easy feeling in this. Makes me like living by the ocean again. Krishankins A bird never flies so high that it can't hit the ground |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I like this very much, Corinne... though I lived far from the ocean, it reminds me of community gatherings from my youth. *S* Well written! |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Corinne How lucky you are to have such memories. This was so full of a loving family atmosphere and friendship's kids. I really enjoyed the read! |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
cor... we used to dive for ab' pound em with rocks to make em tender and cook em over the fire on a iron grill.. sip cheap wine to wash em down and lay like heavy rocks in hawai shirts til dawn...then start over again.. sure was fun and this was a great take back to then too |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
*sniff* *sniff* I can smell the wonder of this scene Corinne. . . excellent. . . ------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
This sounds like loads of fun and I don't even like clam's...James |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
  YAY!!! Oh Corinne, this sounds so exquisite, sweet friend, right now I am at my grandparents house in Cape Giradeau, Missouri and we had some texas hash the other night, that was good! (kiss on cheek) This is beautiful, sweet friend, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Corinne, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Corinne~ Sweet poetess ... you wrote me there~ 'We sup and later lay like seals in warm sand.' LOVE the very picture of it~ Have a Happy~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
A huge, old house opens its arms - we pour ourselves in, filling every level surface and staking out bits of territory. I've seen this myself.........This is a warm and inviting write Corinne! |
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