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Open Poetry #47
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Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA

0 posted 2011-04-24 04:17 PM



Gray of hair, a little stooped,
rain or shine, cold or hot the day,
the couple from the corner house
walk hand in hand down the road
where the cluster of mailboxes stand
like neighborhood sentries.

On their return, as they pass by my window,
I know if their mailbox rewarded them,
for if it did, their arms are interlocked,
smiling eyes looking into smiling eyes,
and she is clutching an envelope
as if it were a precious artifact.

On Sundays, when the sentries stand empty,
if the weather is clement, they walk to the lake
and are seen sitting, staring out at the water,
and one has to wonder at their story.
Then, you see them walking home again
hand in hand, smiling, and you know.


© Copyright 2011 Marcia Miller-Twiford - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
1 posted 2011-04-24 04:22 PM


Yes, you most certainly do know. You know that the years, the troubles, the strife, arguments, deaths, all of which they have seen come and go, has not lessened their love for one another, and if possible, have bolstered. I envy people such as this. Wonderful slice of life poetry, Marcia.

~ A lion will not cheat on his wife, but a Tiger Wood. ~

Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA
2 posted 2011-04-24 04:32 PM


Thank you Jerry. This poem was written about a couple who live diagonally across the street from me. Ahhh, that marriage could be so sweet.


secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
3 posted 2011-04-24 04:49 PM


again ... another most fine 'slice of life' write; etc.!

MUCH applause for this 'penning' !!

Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA
4 posted 2011-04-24 05:02 PM


Thank you kindly. I'm happy you liked it.


Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
5 posted 2011-04-24 05:48 PM


Marcia, you have such an ability to paint pictures with your words. Yes, I know many poems conjure up images but, when I read your lines, I see the  story in front of me. I see their smiles, smell the ocean, feel the breeze...everything you describe is there. You have a gift...

Hope your Easter was joyous!

Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA
6 posted 2011-04-24 05:53 PM


Thank you so much Michael. Your words made it a happy day for me, turned a lonesome one into one that has me smiling and feeling pretty darn good about myself.


JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
7 posted 2011-04-25 12:26 PM


A pleasure to read...James
jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
8 posted 2011-04-25 12:40 PM


And I know exactly what they got ... a new quilt book - novel, magazine or what ever, because you just describe my wife.  I recently ordered her about 8 or 9 quilt novels by Jennifer Chiaverini ... they came in a few at a time over three weeks or so and she was in hog heaven....

Like an old coon dog, sniffin' from one pile of fat quarters to the next, or novel or what-have-you....smiling all the time.

Does my heart good to watch her, it does.

Really enjoyed the write, my friend...now if I can just figure out what to get her for her upcoming birth day in July....(suggestions welcome).....


jimmy

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2011-04-25 03:28 AM


Thank you, Marcia, for introducing me to that lovely couple.  I feel I know them as well as you do, through the window.  Strange, I was just thinking that they had a marriage like Jimmy's and there was his comment, right at the end of the others!  

Jimmy, I have no idea what a quilt book is, but I am glad your wife enjoys them.

What about (for your wife's birthday)- I forget what they call it - but something like a second commitment (re-affirmation - recommitment of your vows)marriage? I know that none of those is the term, but you will know what I mean, I think.

Marcia, being the delightfully generous person you are, I am sure you won't mind my little conversation with Jimmy in your responses.

Owl

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
10 posted 2011-04-25 11:22 AM


ms weaver..

I know the neighborhood...and disturb it sometimes with my pipes I imagine..but riding through slowly seems necessary.

enjoyed your pen here ms

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
11 posted 2011-04-25 12:10 PM


Such a lovely write, Marcia.  One can't help but be touched by such ... simple love.  

Helen

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
12 posted 2011-04-25 01:09 PM


What may seem monotony is probably true serenity in their eyes.

Your poetic rendering is gentle, vivid and captivating.

Love,
Margherita

Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA
13 posted 2011-04-25 01:26 PM


Thank you Margherita. When I wrote the poem and especially the lines, "and she is clutching an envelope as if it were a precious artifact" I was thinking about all the elderly who are forgotten by their grown children and those lucky ones who are not.


steavenr
Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058

14 posted 2011-04-27 12:51 PM


'tis a good place to be when you get to that place where you can be...observably content...and you've described it masterfully
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
15 posted 2011-04-28 03:39 AM


Perhaps you should give them this lovely poem. What an honor to know that someone would care enough to write this.
                                   Ida

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
16 posted 2011-04-28 02:24 PM


I can just see them
leaning ever so slightly
against one another...

beautiful.


Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA
17 posted 2011-04-28 03:09 PM


Your comment is a poem in itself. Thank you Sunshine. I had in mind that they were hoping for a letter or a card from a son/daughter. I hope that got across. There are so many elderly who are ignored by their grown children - breaks my heart.


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