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Open Poetry #4
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Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 1999-11-25 01:04 PM




Sagging Tattoos

Sweating in the Arizona sun
I squinted up at Grandma
She smiled, then hobbled back
Into the rusty trailer where she lives alone
Now that Grandpa’s gone

The blacktop was melting
The swamp cooler hummed
Grapefruit littered the ground

I went swimming
In the big peoples’ pool
Wearing my purple suit
And matching bathing cap
With yellow flowers
People stared when bees
Attacked my flowery head

So I belly flopped into the pool
Screamed and flapped my arms
Water pee warm, instead of cool
Rubbing chlorine from my eyes
Side stroking, gliding along
Looking up at my audience

Three old ladies lounged
Leathery brown skin
Brightly colored bathing suits
Cussing up a storm

Mother looked up from her book, frowned
One of them laughed like a witch
I stared and stealthily slid by
Something was on her chest
Big green and blue splotches

I swam over to mother
Asked what they were
She hushed me, called me rude
Then explained in a whisper
They were tattoos
I nodded knowingly
That’s what sailors got
When they get drunk
But I’d never seen one for real
Staring, even more curious

She looked right at me
I struggled out of the deep end
But mother was gone
Covering myself with a towel
I sat on a lounge chair

And pretended not to watch
As she walked to a grapefruit tree
Choosing carefully
Plucked two then stood over me,
Her shadow blocked the sun
I faked sleep
She said: “Hey kid!”
Opened my eyes, just to peek
She tossed me a grapefruit
Then sat beside me

She said she was a rebel in her day
Pointed to her tattoos, one by one
This one of her husband
The second, of a rose
The third one was once a dragon
But now that she was old
It was a tattoo sagging!

She helped me peel my grapefruit
She said she had no regrets
Mom rushed in, ushered me away
But the lady had already said
How to live best

© 1999 Corinne Bailey


© Copyright 1999 Corinne - All Rights Reserved
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

1 posted 1999-11-25 01:17 PM


This is great, Corinne! Wonderful story and message!

------------------
Denise


Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
2 posted 1999-11-25 01:33 PM


Thank you, Denise!

Corinne

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
3 posted 1999-11-25 03:45 PM


good imagery
Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

4 posted 1999-11-25 06:04 PM


Smiling here... fine effort.
Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
5 posted 1999-11-25 06:23 PM


Great story Corinne....really enjoyed this piece!

------------------
A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire!


PhaerieChild
Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787
Aloha, Oregon
6 posted 1999-11-25 06:59 PM


I expect my tattoos will be sagging in a few more years as well although I must confess that I do regret ever getting any of them except one. Good poem and gave me food for thought.

------------------
If you love me like music, I'll be your song.
~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie

Shawna R. Holder
Boise, Idaho



Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
7 posted 1999-11-25 09:28 PM


Thank you, Hoot Owl, Pepper, Mike and Wild Child!

Tried to write this from the eyes of a wise-assed 11 year old, since that's probably what I am inside anyway!

Corinne

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 1999-11-25 10:10 PM


You did a great job with the picture you painted. I could see that eleven year old for sure. Great poetic story!

[This message has been edited by Martie (edited 11-26-1999).]

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