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Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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Realms of Light

0 posted 2008-01-13 09:44 PM


                         
Artist: Janet Kruskamp

Grandma's Attic

by Linda L. Dowd

Many years have passed since I climbed those stairs,
to the attic of my grandmother's home.
When I opened the door ~ there on the plank floor,
stood a smiling, welcoming gnome.

Sunlight was streaming through sun-scorched sheers,
that draped down over wood-shuttered panes.
I spied a doll house ~ and a scurrying mouse!
~ and a set of toy Lionel trains.

Dust motes danced in the stale, musty air,
that was a mingling of long ago scents.
~ Moth balls in wardrobes and a Hope cedar chest,
~ Potpourris and patchouli incense.

Dried flowers were suspended from rafters.
A straw hat perched atop a cloak rack.
There was a doll made of rags ~ and a child’s school bag,
that were covered in dust, in the back.

A mannequin stood bare in the corner.
A wood cradle was trimmed with pink bows.
There was a twirler’s baton ~ and a Holt toy gun,
and a cross-stitch of a red, English rose.

I reeled as nostalgia overwhelmed me.
Once again, I was that little girl fair,
who played hide-and-seek ~ and curiously peeked,
at old treasures that were stowed up there.

Many years have passed since I climbed those stairs,
to the attic of my grandmother's home.
When I opened the door ~ there on the plank floor,
stood a smiling, welcoming gnome.

.



[This message has been edited by Earth Angel (01-14-2008 11:09 AM).]

© Copyright 2008 Linda L. Dowd - All Rights Reserved
Ceinwyn
Member Elite
since 2000-07-09
Posts 2175
VA
1 posted 2008-01-13 10:14 PM


I knew I'd see you here..I was wishing I could read some new poetry. Power of positive thinking!! I've been doing that a lot lately   This brings back so many memories.



If at first you don't succeed destroy all the evidence that you tried.

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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Realms of Light
2 posted 2008-01-13 10:29 PM


Ceinwyn ~

I see that your powers of positive thinking and manifestation are in fine working order! lol

I'm pleased that my poem was able to bring back some pleasant memories for you!

Loving hug,
Linda

Marchmadness
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since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
3 posted 2008-01-13 10:38 PM


What a wonderful memory, Linda.
                         Ida

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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4 posted 2008-01-13 10:54 PM


Marchmadness ~

In actuality, both my grandmothers had attics that were fascinating to explore. Mind you, one of them was haunted and I never went up there on my own. My brother's old home was haunted with at least three distinct ghosts and I NEVER would go into his attic!!!

Hugs to you!

Linda

SouthernJustice
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since 2007-12-15
Posts 159

5 posted 2008-01-13 10:57 PM


Precious Memories how they linger. GOd Bless you all with a lovely week ahead. "SJ"
Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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6 posted 2008-01-13 11:12 PM


Hi, SJ ~

"Precious memories ~ how they linger." Is that a line out of a song? I seem to recall it. ~ by the Righteous Brothers???

May you have a blessed week ahead, as well!


EA

[This message has been edited by Earth Angel (01-14-2008 11:11 AM).]

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
7 posted 2008-01-14 06:11 AM


Sweet Linda... I knew I was going to love this from the title... your words are always so beautiful ... love RDB xx

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
8 posted 2008-01-14 10:45 AM


Dear Linda, Angelo Terrestre! I missed you so much and I am happy you are back, bringing us a delightful poem which I enjoyed deeply. My Grandmother was a pure treasure to me too, but her attic was "cleaned out" by my aunts ... what is left is an inner gallery of pictures, which I cherish.

Gosh, ghosts!? How interesting! But I am not on good terms with them either ... brrrrrrrrrrr ... there are curiosity and fear together.

Thank you so much for this.

Grazie! Baci
Margherita

Earth Angel
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9 posted 2008-01-14 01:08 PM


RDB ~

That was lovely of you to say, Roniece! Thank you!

Love to you!

Linda

Earth Angel
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10 posted 2008-01-14 01:22 PM


Margherita ~

You say the sweetest things, Sweet One!

Yes, ghosts! My brother's old house was a hotbed of activity!!! There was a soldier from the War of 1812, a man with a top hat and cape that walked the halls at night and would also come into the bedrooms, there was a boy (or perhaps two) ~ one of whom had been impaled on the spear-like wrought-iron fence surrounding the property after falling off of the roof, and the other who had been hit by a car in front of the house. Cries could also be heard in the attic.

One night while I was 'trying to sleep' on the living room sofa, the kitchen tap kept turning on, the stove would turn on, the rocking chair kept violently rocking back and forth, I was physically touched (No, it wasn't a succubus! Thank God!)~ the list goes on! I never wanted to see the morning sun so much in my entire life!!!

Needless to say, he moved!

too!

Linda

LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
11 posted 2008-01-20 10:12 PM



A really great poem Linda, What a wonderful thing is a good memory, to be able to sit down and reminisce. I loved it.

Love to you dear Linda

Lindsay

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
12 posted 2008-01-20 10:22 PM


What a lovely view of heirloms, keep perhaps for just this reason I myself have a few of those little gnomes
secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
13 posted 2008-01-20 10:26 PM


EXCELLENT!

very serious and long-sustained applause!!

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
14 posted 2008-01-21 09:38 AM


Lindsay, it is so great to have you back! ~ and very nice to receive such a lovely reply to my poetic effort. You've been missed, Aussie Man!

Much love to you!

Linda

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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Realms of Light
15 posted 2008-01-21 09:41 AM


Ruth ~

Good morning! Fortunate are we, who have such memories ~ and grandmas with intriguing attics filled with treasures!

Thank you for droppy by and for leaving such a sweet reply!

Big, warm hug coming your way!

Linda

Earth Angel
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16 posted 2008-01-21 09:43 AM


shdp ~

Howdy, Bruce! Your resounding positive response has certainly broadened my morning smile! Thanks! That's great way to start my day!


Linda

Klassy Lassy
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since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187
Oregon
17 posted 2008-01-21 12:59 PM


Hi Lovely Lynda!  My grandma's house was too small for an attic.  They had a cellar, though which gave me the shivers in its cool darkness.  The dwelling, however, housed seven children and had only four rooms, each 9 X 12 feet... so it was a tiny little house.  Strange thing is, despite the close quarters, it was never cluttered with things, and I loved it there.  I guess the attic was our thoughts, and the nostalgia you describe that brings back memories of the people who lived there.  Your poem is a heart smile!  

Love, Karen

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
18 posted 2008-01-21 01:53 PM


Dear Linda - What a lovely read made more so by the fact that we do not have attics here in our South African homes.

Ghosts!  How interesting.  Not many years ago I also had trouble with the tap turning on by itself.  I couldn't get anyone to believe in the theory of ghosts but it did eventually stop.

I did experience one sitting on my bed and then jumping up and down when I didn't take any notice.  Thought it was the cat, you see.  Maybe I talked him away which is what I did for a few nights while sleeping with the light and radio on.  I don't think I'd be so scared now because I've learnt a few things since then.  

Thanks for a most enjoyabe read!


Helen

Magnus
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since 2001-10-10
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South Carolina, USA
19 posted 2008-01-21 05:28 PM


Love the story, and definitely love the art
work.  What a scene...

TomMark
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since 2007-07-27
Posts 2133
LA,CA
20 posted 2008-01-21 07:47 PM


Beautiful. a very lovely poems.
Tom

Earth Angel
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21 posted 2008-01-21 11:37 PM


Klassy Karen ~

Thank you for sharing your touching story.

Oh, yes! The cellar! It shivers me timbers just thinking about the one in my grandmother's house. Whenever she asked me to go into the cellar to get a jar of preserves, my knees would knock. It was damp, eerie, and had no source of light. I had to light a candle to be able to see. There were cobwebs and spiders and other worldly creatures, to be sure! lol

I am so pleased that you dropped by Karen!

Love to you,

Linda

Earth Angel
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22 posted 2008-01-21 11:50 PM


Bunches of Honey ~

Hi, Honey! Gosh, I sure as heck am glad that I have never had a spirit jumping up and down on my bed. Egads! That must have given you a fright.

My great aunt lived in our family estate that was built in 1821. What a house! It was made of stone and was HUGE. There was even a wing for the servants quarters. All of the bedrooms had a 4-poster bed, stained-glass windows and a fireplace. It even had a funeral room and 2 parlors with grand pianos.

Anyhoo, I digress. I was never allowed to go in the cellar because I was told that it had an earthen floor and buried within it were some of my forbears who had died. As I later found out, my ancient great aunt had made that story up to keep me out of the cellar because there were huge rats down there! Egads! To be honest with you, both stories scared the bejeezuz out of me!

Loves 'n hugs,
Linda


Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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Realms of Light
23 posted 2008-01-21 11:53 PM


Magnus ~

Hi, Barry! Yes, I love that painting as well. Janet Kruskamp is one of my favourite artists.
I find her style and subject matter, very appealing.

Nice to hear from you!


Linda

Earth Angel
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24 posted 2008-01-21 11:56 PM


Tom ~

Hi, there! I'm so pleased that you read my poem and have left such a "beautiful" response to it! Thank you!


Linda

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

25 posted 2008-01-22 06:05 AM


Linda, YES, attics can hold so many treasures and memories and I thank you for sharing yours here with us.  HUGS
Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
26 posted 2008-01-22 08:52 AM


Earth Angel,

This poem makes good use of end rhymes.  It moves along nicely.

Bobby

Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
27 posted 2008-01-22 08:58 AM


Earth Angel,

This makes good use of end rhymes.  It moves along nicely.

Bobby

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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Realms of Light
28 posted 2008-01-22 11:21 AM


Gentle Spirited One ~

Good morning,Donna! Yes, both attics and cellars can hold so many memories for us. Especially when we are young and impressionable.

Hope all is well with you and yours.

Linda

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
29 posted 2008-01-22 11:26 AM


Bobby Jordan ~

I'm pleased that you found that the poem moved along nicely. I actually had to work at that.Normally, poems seem to have a natural rhythm and just flows naturally, and then there are those that need lots of work. Even now, I wish that I was able to go in and make some changes but the edit window has past.

Your comment makes me feel less stressed about that now! Thanks! I needed that!

Have a great day!

EA

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
30 posted 2008-01-23 08:03 AM


Earth Angel, you are an angel of this earth and I always love your poetry.
I wish we had an attic but we do have a very spooky cold cellar.

ARCTIC WIND

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
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Realms of Light
31 posted 2008-01-23 10:04 AM


Arctic Wind ~

And you are an "angel" for saying so.

~ and yes, cold cellars can be "spooky"!

It nice to see you back! You've been missed!

Giving you a big hug-o-love,

EA

aziza
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since 2006-07-09
Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!
32 posted 2008-01-24 01:27 AM


Linda,

I never knew my grandparents, but I knew that if I had Grandmothers near that their attics would have been just like that.  Now, my house is kind of like that - I love old things and I hang on to things I had as a child or find things that I used to have.

Your poem is wonderful.  It really shows your heart.

Alison

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
33 posted 2008-01-24 11:29 AM


Alison, your sweet reply illustrates your own warm heart.

I imagine your home is as charming as you, yourself, are!

Love to you!

Linda

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