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Open Poetry #44
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1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace

0 posted 2009-02-12 11:18 AM



Empty Echoes

I think in the long run
I will have to go back
to the days of Mississippi past
with a garden in back of the house  
a porch swing, growing vegetables
making do with what we have
the art of quilting and canning
funny years ago I ran from that
in a fast pace to something else
what was it that I was thinking
did the city shine blind my senses
I can’t think anymore feeling rage
from shelling peas on the porch I ran
loud Sunday fried chicken dinners
feeling tight hugs that truly cling
I am not home lost in confusion
lonely missing part of my soul
the true direction of my north
is the south in breath of pines
I ache in the longing of this place
the sheer comfort of the zone
denim and cotton stretch for miles
railcars sing a lonesome lullaby
in still lightening bug darkness
I miss it across empty echoes

"I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad."
— Joni Mitchell



© Copyright 2009 Helen Chambers - All Rights Reserved
gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
1 posted 2009-02-12 11:28 AM


I love this poem for its reawakening of the memories of my growing up just across the river in Arkansas. You have said so much of what I feel, and I appreciate your knowing the value of that which is truly good, and worthy of our longing to return to our roots, and the rich soil of life from which we grew.

Thanks,

art

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 posted 2009-02-12 11:53 AM


Yo Helen,

To each her/his own Hon.  I couldn't take it myself.

Love Bobby

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
3 posted 2009-02-12 11:55 AM


Home will always be where your heart was happiest. I do understand being homesick, though for me, I was happy to get away from my youthful home base in the San Fernando Valley, which became a miserable place overcrowded and full of racism, gang issues and air pollution, and condos that sprang up everywhere ranches and farms once thrived.
I love blue jeans and living close to the ground, immersed in nurturing nature. I hope to never live in the middle of a crowded city again.
Your post put me back on a farm, smiling.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
4 posted 2009-02-12 12:01 PM


I suppose I should be happy where I am now huh?

I do love shelling peas and those Sunday fried chicken dinners.

I guess I don't need the beach and the city buses as much as I thought.


Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
5 posted 2009-02-12 12:35 PM


I love it

Poet, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
6 posted 2009-02-12 12:51 PM


Helen, I love this for many reasons - its beauty, its art, its honesty, its truth, the subject (love the countryside), and as Art put it, its reawakening (and yours), its values, the hope that you will get back there or as close as possible to "it", and the sheer enjoyment of reading it - and those are just the reasons that I can think of at the moment - there are probably lots more!  Thank you.

Owl

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
7 posted 2009-02-12 12:59 PM


Art said what I'm thinking but said it better than I can, Kacy. I truly
understand what you are saying.
                                   Ida

Bill Charles
Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619
highways, & byways, for now
8 posted 2009-02-12 07:09 PM


Helen - I can feel your emptyness, but the kindling of joy when thinking about those great times missed. Wouldn't it be great to live a less stressful lazy kinda life...

BC

Oklahoma Rose
Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586
Oklahoma USA
9 posted 2009-02-12 10:33 PM


I can sure feel your emptiness, Helen.
Krawdad
Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597

10 posted 2009-02-12 11:07 PM


Helen, you give me ideas - thanks.
And I hope you find rest there one day.

/pip/Forum100/HTML/000924.html

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
11 posted 2009-02-13 10:36 AM


Beautiful to read and even more beautiful are the memories and now refreshed dreams of mine that this gave me.  Thank you for bringing about some very peaceful memories of mine.  
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
12 posted 2009-02-13 11:13 AM


Art and Mark said what I wanted to say better than I could have said it... you've left Louisiana on my mind and a smile on my face... thank you.
steavenr
Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058

13 posted 2009-02-13 02:23 PM


if we were all honest with ourselves, I wonder how many of us ran from home only to find out that the bus that took us on our escape has a signpost ahead that reads 'next stop--home'.

well-versed verse...gonna take a sentimental journey...I can hear someone on the porch whispering under their breath, 'they all come back'

...very nice ride...thank you for letting us come along with you

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
14 posted 2009-02-14 04:02 PM


Helen

This has so many musical lyrical lines.
It sang to me which some poems do. I could clearly feel the longing, reflections of regret and beauty of the past that holds one to one's roots!


Wonderfully, tastefully written.

Eric

Richy
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050

15 posted 2009-02-15 10:14 AM



How forlorn one can be when their soul
lies behind in the bayou of their longing.

Quilting, canning, and Sunday suppers,
how do we let this get away.

I could spend my last day on that porch
and already be, in kingdom come,
with nothing but our thoughts of a life
well spent, and the chirping crickets,
in the southern pines.

You’re amazing Helen.



poddarku
Senior Member
since 2008-01-15
Posts 589
india
16 posted 2009-02-15 10:24 AM


As soothing as listening to Gordon Lightfoot songs.
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