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Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2000-05-03 04:04 PM


The Family Album  (for my mother)


From the porch swing of safe rocking
with that familiar squeak
I knew just the right rhythm to call home
with scabby knees falling so often into this lap
where breathing was better.

I see you now in your glass frame,
Marian of youth glow camera charm delicate
that twitch of smile
lips like thin petals
leaning towards me
from those black and white years.

What took you through the colored days
and all the intricate minutes
to the time when you found such pleasure
rolling up your pants
to just above the knee and wading the shallow end
with age dropping around you.

That minute when I stole your glee
for my album lingers here in treasured time out
for you in heaven have descended
to me again and again in warm folding
and covered me with that same precious blanket
that cradled my porch swing peace.

Sometimes the rhythm of time comes unglued
and frees me to fall back and hold you to me
in your magnificent pain
where courage surprised me with its display
as your fingers stroked away the walls
holding you with fragments of smiles
and took you drugged and delirious
across the threshold.

So in this opening
the past spreads its color
in front of me and I just want
to curl with you on that swing
and let memory drench me
with you.




[This message has been edited by Martie (edited 05-03-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
A.C.Turner
Member
since 2000-04-30
Posts 83
Reading, Pa.Home of Bardfest
1 posted 2000-05-03 04:14 PM


So beautiful! Lots of wonderful phrases in there. This is a piece I will enjoy for years to come. Thanks for this one. ACT.
ESP
Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556
Floating gently on a cloud....
2 posted 2000-05-03 04:18 PM


Martie....this is wonderful. You have taken my breath away with the beauty, love and sadness here. Emotions exquisitely expressed. Thank you for sharing this.

Love and hugs,
Lizzie


 "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight."

Marina
Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245
Pickering, Ontario
3 posted 2000-05-03 04:23 PM


This is beyond compare Martie!  Your emotions are told so beautifully and flawlessly.  A treasure for sure.

I was just reading your post to mine and I had to read this....

Marina


[This message has been edited by Marina (edited 05-03-2000).]

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
4 posted 2000-05-03 04:47 PM


Martie, I got nostalgic goosebumps as I read this, thinking of those black and white years. A wonderful look at family ties.
Exquisite, again.
Liz

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 2000-05-03 05:17 PM


Oh, Martie... this is beautiful! So much sadness for what wasn't... so much appreciation for what was. Thank you for sharing your memories... and reminding me of some of my own.
Corazon
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 1209

6 posted 2000-05-03 07:12 PM


this is great, I just love imagining the pictures you paint with your words  
Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
7 posted 2000-05-03 07:18 PM


Martie, brought tears to my eyes with this one, hon.

Corinne

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
8 posted 2000-05-03 07:50 PM


What a wonderful way to describe the Family Album...it's so sad to look at sometimes, wondering where those years went to...we were just kids a few days ago weren't we?
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2000-05-03 08:11 PM


ACT--Thanks so much for the years to come..that is quite a compliment.

Lizzie--thank you for such a sweet reply...Hugs back.

Marina--I was hoping that you would read this, you compliment me greatly with your reply.

Corazon--Thank you for such a nice compliment.

Corinne--And you have for me, a nuber of times.

PdV--Yup, we were kids just a few days ago..well... I'm still a kid ..(he he)
Liz--are goose bumps good for you?  Thanks for being so sweet.

suthern--glad to have brought back some of your memories, with mine.

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
10 posted 2000-06-15 01:24 PM


Martie~
With a son getting married Saturday ...
I was flipping through a few 'Family Albums' myself.
This is exquisite.

'So in this opening
the past spreads its color
in front of me and I just want
to curl with you on that swing
and let memory drench me
with you.'

Yep .... a 'Polaroid moment' for sure.
~*Marge*~
< !signature-->

 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
           noles1@totcon.com             



[This message has been edited by Marge Tindal (edited 06-15-2000).]

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