a foot-stomp's incentive (rp in response to Allysa's For The Storm)

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serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

0 posted 2007-09-04 08:14 PM

He used to tend his garden in the rain.
"Do the work, while the ground is soft."
He wore the weather in his eyes,
and the lines of his face
were pages of days
of sun's drench-
sweat.

He cast Texas shadows in that sun,
shielding me from wither.
His grip of hand an iron glove
tempered strong
from years of clutch
tenacity
of life and love--
he caught me
everytime I slipped
while running barefoot through the grass...

He grew marigolds of joy--
abundant--
almost size of shrub.
I dared to ask his secret once
(I coddled mine so carefully)
and I saw meager bloom.

I laughed out loud
in disbelief
as he brought his foot down on a plant.
"That's what I do."
He laughed at me.
And then he stooped down to explain.

"This plant will just grow stronger now--
if something in it wants to grow."

I looked at him as if insane--
"But just suppose it up and dies?"
I had my hand on hip, annoyed.

We stood together,
looking down,
and then he said:

"There ain't no guarantee of life--
but death is coming anyway.
Sometimes you need a good foot-stomp
incentive
helps
to choose to bloom."

He looked at me and smiled a shrug.
"What else is there to do?"

* * *
In Memorium
W.W. Hood
10/17/27--7/19/01
"trying to bloom, Dad..."

* * * * *

Allysa? I wasn't sure how to thank you for your poem. I didn't know if you had heard my tale of my father's marigolds before, but I wanted to share this for those who hadn't heard the story--a true tale of inspiration from my father's garden.

Thank you, so much, for your heart, your inspiration, and your shared love for the City of New Orleans. Hopefully there is something in is that wants to live....

I love you much sweet lady. I can't thank you enough.

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

1 posted 2007-09-04 09:44 PM

'"trying to bloom, Dad..."'

... and you are~

*TenderHuglets*
~*Me

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email - noles1@totcon.com

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

2 posted 2007-09-04 10:01 PM

It seems to me, Serene One, that your father must have 'stomped' on you from time to time because you have blossomed into a strong, tenacious, insightful, magnificent marigold!

A touching story.

Loving hug,
Linda

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

3 posted 2007-09-05 06:05 AM

I loved the story and concept here, Karen. A little tough love sometimes does give us the will to grow stronger. Wonderful writing. Much enjoyed this!

Best wishes and hugs,
/Kit

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2007-09-05 12:28 PM

You know I have always encouraged you to submit your work, dearheart, but I would certainly love to see this in your hometown newspaper...and beyond.

Because, "This plant will just grow stronger now--
if something in it wants to grow."

and it is highly apparent that there are plenty of good seeds that need to grow.

TomMark
Member Elite

since 2007-07-27

Posts 2133
LA,CA

5 posted 2007-09-05 01:05 PM

Lady SB, haven't I always enjoyed your poems?! This one, truly get into my heart.

thank you for a wonderful poem

Tomtoo

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

6 posted 2007-09-05 01:34 PM

K, this touches deep and it seems to me that you have grown, are beautiful and yes....stronger even still....Thank you for the repost, I hadn't seen this treasure before. And that, is exactly what this is dear, a treasure from your heart.

after a fall I get back up,
move on 'cause the past is the past and theres no tomorrow if remaining in still waters while the river flows on ~dsmith

Temptress

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-06-15

Posts 7136
Mobile, AL

7 posted 2007-09-05 03:52 PM

Hey, Ser...

I loved this one. It caught and held me there just waiting for the explanation. Wise lessons come from odd actions sometimes.

I'm still learning...

"I want to heal, I want to feel, like I'm close to something real"
-Linkin Park_

adagio
Member

since 2005-03-19

Posts 449
Marrero, La.

8 posted 2007-09-05 03:54 PM

wonderfull work Karen
allways love your stuff
and thanks for letting
me use your machine
as I still don't have my own.
Adagio

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

9 posted 2007-09-05 05:44 PM

Wonderful...James

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

10 posted 2007-09-05 06:11 PM

simply superb!

I am especially fond of:

"He wore the weather in his eyes,
and the lines of his face
were pages of days..."

AND:

"There ain't no guarantee of life--
but death is coming anyway.
Sometimes you need a good foot-stomp
incentive
helps
to choose to bloom...

What else is there to do?"

serious, long-sustained applause!
[another 'poetic standing ovation'!!!]

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

11 posted 2007-09-05 06:52 PM

Karen, there is not a line that can be taken out.You hit pay dirt and I agree it should be published somewhere.The home town news paper is a good choice.It may give one or two people something to think about. And something to live for. I know it will touch more than that but if only one or two it is well worth publishing. Send it to that favorite columnist who writes in your newspaper. . "late"

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

12 posted 2007-09-05 07:20 PM

Actually, I felt funny just posting this next to Allysa's exquisite take on the aftermath of Katrina.

(and I have a firm vow of never again stealing thunder)

Check out all of her stuff about New Orleans. The lady is an artist.

Thanks for reading about my Dad again though--I just wanted you all to understand how much her poem meant to me personally.

Allysa-lady? Take a bow.

You are already a gift to the city, lovie.

Allysa

Senior Member

since 1999-11-09

Posts 1952
In an upside-down garden

13 posted 2007-09-07 09:59 AM

Oh my, lady.
This brought tears to my eyes. I had not yet heard your marigold story, but you have told it wonderfully here.. I can't think of anything to say. You are fantastic, and you say such nice things about me.. Always making me blush.

*hugs*

Larry C

Member Patricius

since 2001-09-10

Posts 10286
United States

14 posted 2007-09-07 10:56 AM

Karen,
This is simply amazing. I've learned the life part but never heard the nature part. And as for the dad part. Well, that's the best of all. I love everything about this and find it a serious keeper. Peace to you and thanks for the memory straight from your heart that I'm placing in my heart now.

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

15 posted 2007-09-07 04:05 PM

Hi Karen!

busy bee...

But I had to stop and re-read this one...

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

16 posted 2007-09-07 06:18 PM

Oh you know I love you all...hand over heart, I thank you kindly.

But I must truly insist:
/pip/Forum104/HTML/000987.html

Behold the Marigold!

Love to all.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

17 posted 2007-09-07 06:49 PM

I read both poems and will just have to tell you my story now. I plant a patch of marigolds for your Dad and Brother every year, and each year they are planted from the seeds collected from the year before. Someone go ahead and try to tell me that life can't go in - at least in people's hearts it sure can.

Loved this, loved her poem of inspire, and love you.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

18 posted 2007-09-07 09:00 PM

guess you already know
how this makes me feel.

(not to mention my nose is now twitchin
with MaryGold memories...hmmmm)

and now, Alyssa....always a treat

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-11-19

Posts 7392
Ohio

19 posted 2007-09-08 11:49 AM

all heart and true grit
you seemed to have follow dad's lead
hugs

The Lady
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-12-26

Posts 7634
The Southwest

20 posted 2007-09-09 11:21 PM

"He cast Texas shadows in that sun,
shielding me from wither."

you bloom mightily Karen
mightily!

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

21 posted 2007-11-05 01:35 PM

I'd say you're blooming gloriously. *S* And even if you weren't... if he was like mine... he'd be pleased that you're TRYING, even if sometimes you end up being the stompee instead of the stomper. *S*

Fantastic write, dear lady!!

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