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Open Poetry #44
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Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
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Gaia

0 posted 2009-02-12 06:39 AM




Remembering
the rhythm of the swing,
the way the axe sliced through crisp air
as it fell upon frozen stumps
in stinging bites of chips
flying through sub zero temps,
while critters scurried from tree to tree
between icicle tipped arctic boughs.

Alaska.

I am missing my Rainbow Dancing Lights.
Most call her Aurora Borealis.
She dances capriciously on the long dark nights
that tumble into days
when the sun barely peeks its face
in a low arc over Denali's face,
majestic mountain misnamed McKinley
for a politician
who never (to my knowledge)
showed his face so far north.

Alaska.

Moosatchie and Willow,
my adopted week old youngsters,
twin moose left standing in the woods
when an ignorant tourist shot their mom,
an idiot's bragging rights.
The locals sent that man flying back home
on a plane, with the warning never to return
to that neck of the woods
less he should meet a similar fate.  
I fed them for two weeks
until they were able to feed
from low-hanging willow branches.
My apologies to Darwin
and the local Forestry Management,
who ask ignorants like me
to not feed the wildlife,
but let nature take its course.
Bah humbug I said,
thumb alongside my frozen nose.
And the following year
the twins were often seen
meandering happily
in the willows
next to my tiny cabin
hidden in the woods.

My Alaska.

© Copyright 2009 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA
1 posted 2009-02-12 07:11 AM


Very beautiful, Kacy!
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 posted 2009-02-12 07:38 AM


Yo dear Kacy,

This is a nice enough poem.  However, I'm shocked that you would engage in this type of mutual stroking.

Love Bobby

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
3 posted 2009-02-12 07:39 AM


I have always had the desire to go to Alaska and the call increases with each poem and photo that you and Alison post!

I want your Alaska, to be my Alaska!!! lol

Love 'n hugs,
Linda

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
4 posted 2009-02-12 08:02 AM


i second that bah humbug
as a feeder of strays
and all creatures big and small
you'll get back there one day
for now just stay warm in memories

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
5 posted 2009-02-12 08:23 AM


Totally awesome, dear Kacy!

You were meant to be there, representing God's love and compassion for His creatures!

You ask and I let you know that this wondrous poem of yours did hit me in my solar plexus! And powerfully so!

Love and hugs.
Margherita

Alison
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Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
6 posted 2009-02-12 11:00 AM


What a beautiful morning gift, Kacy.  Our Moose was named Violet Brown.  She had been hit by a car and all of us children smothered her with love until she died in our backyard.

I love your Alaska - funny it's just like my Alaska.  That may once have been our link - today I am touched by your spirit, courage and compassion.

Again, special lady ~ thank you.

Alison

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
7 posted 2009-02-12 11:07 AM


this is just awesome

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
8 posted 2009-02-12 11:39 AM


Alison, glad you enjoyed this and can relate to 'My Alaska' memories.
Thanks to each of you who visited this, and shared my love for the animals. While I try to be a 'naturalist' most of the time, when push comes to shove? I just can't stand to see any youngsters suffer, whether they be two or four legged, they deserve a chance to grow old.

Bobby? I don't 'stroke'...I appreciate and enjoy/honoring compassionate, perceptive, wise people like Alison, who happens to be a fine talented writer and photographer as well. So I'll just assume your comment was in jest.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2009-02-12 12:01 PM


Kacy, beyoootiful poetic Alaskan memories.  My heart aches and my tears flow for Moosatchie and Willow's and their mother's loss (though it was a long time ago) of her life.  THANK YOU for doing the right thing.  I know what "they" say, and most of the time, "they" are right, but God needs us to know "when push comes to shove" as you did.  

Alison, my heart aches and my tears flow for Violet Brown.

Owl

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
10 posted 2009-02-12 12:52 PM


This is a beautiful poem from the heart, Kacy and as an animal lover (and proud feeder or strays) I especially enjoyed hearing the moose story. Sometimes you have to break the rules to do what is right. That's because some rules shouldn't exist in the first place. The world needs more people like you. stroke, stroke...
                                   Ida

  

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
11 posted 2009-02-12 02:36 PM


Diana and Ida, I knew you two would relate to my moose story. And Ida, your 'stroke, stroke' at the end gave me a huge giggle.
secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
12 posted 2009-02-12 02:37 PM


Both Alison's post (for you) and this 'repost' (for her) are grand-fine!

MUCH serious applause for this 'penning'!!

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
13 posted 2009-02-12 04:21 PM


Thanks, Bruce. I have no photos to share from my Alaska adventure, as I didn't have a digital camera at the time and can't seem to find the photos I took with my ancient 35mm camera. I really appreciate Alison's photos!!!
If I ever find my photos, I will scan them and post a few, especially of Moosatchie and Willow. They hung around in front and back of the cabin. One afternoon, Moosatchie stuck her head in the cabin window and watched Sara doing her homework. We had a good laugh, though it was unnerving at first. Willow was usually the shyer one, the first to step away whenever we were on the pathway. But they rarely ventured very far from our neck of the woods, and were still there when I left Alaska the summer of 2002.
Somewhere, I have a pencil sketch of them, and will attempt to scan that.

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