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Open Poetry #40
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2007-05-19 11:11 PM



Smiling, Now

The simplest of most complex messages,
as in the effortless asking of,  “how are you?”
led me to telling of times now revealed
in its own intricate and long remembered comments,

“Oh, just fine!”

Though somehow, like some great old-gold meal
of chili suppers, rodeos, summer nights
or plum-picking sleepovers in the darkest of evenings,
when mixed cultures were in the best blending fields
of California, and they come flooding back, reminding me…

I really am who they thought I might be.

Yielding to a notebook of high school memoirs,
there they were, messages, written for me,
words I could not even take in as great beliefs,
let alone breaths, notes from friends and
even some boys, more
than I ever remembered before now.

I had pitted myself with my own tacks
against the wallflower wall.  I did not know then
[even if the boys yielded a gentlemanly comment]
that I was even seen.
And that was in the Junior year.

I am smiling now, for what I know,
finding the thought of wishing I could have known more then,
but the surprise wouldn’t have been as great,
now.

Sometimes, even late surprises can be
things appreciated even more, and felt
even deeper…
like the memories of Ashley Longworth,
and Emily Baldwin.  Memories, and knowing that
something better will soon unfold.

Somehow, I believe their thoughts of then,
are true, even now.  Somehow, yes…….even now.


" It matters not this distance now  " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love
~*~
KRJ

© Copyright 2007 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Rick
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 2903
Victoria, Australia
1 posted 2007-05-19 11:50 PM


Dear Sunshine, great to see you here my friend and what a great write, it is a shame that we do not realize these things back then, that we wait the years and years till wiser, to find our good friends and those of could have been. Reminiscing with a smile and traveling back the years, memories and thoughts make the now a better place to be.

Enjoyed my friend, have a wonderful day with yesteryear.

Rick.


Rick

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2007-05-20 12:03 PM


Sissie...you sent me back to my year book and the words....where have they gone I wonder?  I know that Karen and Judy have passed now for many years;  then, they were my best friends.  I'm glad you are smiling now in realizing of how dear you were even then, and to how many.  
nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
3 posted 2007-05-20 06:28 AM


It's funny, Karilea, how at every high school reunion that I attend (and I have attended all but one) I find out from someone how they were interested in knowing me better back then and that I never knew it.

I never joined a  sorority or "group" of any kind because I didn't like to be excluded nor to exclude anyone else. That way I could be friendly to all.

My 40th is coming up  next month and I am looking  forward to it.


M

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
4 posted 2007-05-20 09:14 AM


From my 8th grade sports teacher, "You're a fine boy, Ken, keep up the good work." He molded me, with a single sentence, always to try to do "good work" in whatever I've done.  Thanks for your "good work" this rainy day in Oregon.  KJ

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
5 posted 2007-05-20 10:10 AM


There is attractiveness in the past, especially when it is displayed with your beautiful words, dear Karilea.

Sometimes, when going through old letters, it is interesting indeed to relive those long gone moments and reestablish connections, even if only through a quick emotion.

Love,
Margherita

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
6 posted 2007-05-20 11:23 AM


Every now and then, I look back through my high school year book. For a while I was able to stay in touch with one of my high school friends.
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
7 posted 2007-05-20 03:24 PM




ahhh Karilea

Ashley Longworth and Miss Emily...

"Memories, and knowing that
something better will soon unfold."

and in my yearbook...
"no matter wherever you may go
always remember your friend Joe"

and I don't remember him
wonder if he remembers me

you dredged up some stuff here

Drauntz
Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905
Los Angeles California
8 posted 2007-05-20 05:13 PM


It is nice that one always has something to bring out a smile. and smile infects.

enjoyed.

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