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Open Poetry #11
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Carolina Reminisce
| Open Poetry #11 |
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Carolina Reminisce |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania 
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Carolina Reminisce The folks were plain and honest folks, and settled in their ways So easy to reach out a hand and slow to pass their days The country store sat by the road, their only means to live A meager wage, but seems they always had so much to give Unpainted sides of clapboard and an old tin roof that sagged Pigskin treats and lots of boiled peanuts by the bag Bacon strips and rice and beans and hominy to spare An iron stove alit to warm the cooling winter air The ceiling was adorned with heavy strips of laden glue A million flies of summer who fell victim to the goo And yet there was a fly swatter, perpetually in use To swat a fly or roach or else to shoo a wandering goose The Mr. sat there by the stove and leaned back on his chair And chawed tobacco with his freinds who congregated there A spittoon bucket by their side, a soda in their hand And Cajun talk that I could rarely ever understand The cotton fields were plenty and were worked with toil and sweat And grand old Mammy made a biscuit you would not forget She was the one who raised the kids and somehow through the years More like a mother she’s the one to comfort all their fears The Sunday dinner after church, a ritual in place And for the bounty all held hands and said a common grace It was the bonds of family, and customs well ingrained The ways of generations past that in their hearts remained Progress was not in their thoughts, just politics and beer And any contradiction fell quite ill upon the ear But all was well and any teardrop falling from an eye Was wiped away by kisses and some sweet potatoe pie The olden days, the southern ways, were duly kept alive But changed a bit when they were hit with highway 95 The cotton fields that I remember, now a shopping mall The rustic shacks and country stores were swallowed in it all But still the great magnolia is blooming year to year And still I am so well embraced by one that I hold dear They say you can’t go home again, that nothing is the same But bonds of lifelong friendship have been wrapped around our names Elizabeth Santos |
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| © Copyright 2001 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ah give me some Cajun patois anytime... Excellent! A good visit South on this cold wintry day... |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Elizabeth, A beautiful potpourri of what was and is now. You constantly amaze me. Love Sy |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Charming, endearing, lovely! May I save a copy and share this lovely piece? Always with your name attached, of course! You write so many different ways and so very well! |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Beautifully written and expressed. |
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Stan Member
since 2001-01-01
Posts 120Inland Empire Southern California |
Well done Elizabeth. A good down to earth treatment of a good old down to earth sentiment. My recollections from old rural New England would parallel your picture. The use of a traditional format is most appropriate. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Beautiful, Elizabeth! *S* |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Very charming, Elizabeth! Pass the sweet potatoe pie!! Denise |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Liz, this is just a perfect description. My hubby was born in N.C. and his grandparents have since moved back after retiring. Always so much to give and that suthern hospitality. That's what I love so much about the South. (not to mention the warm weather)  Perfectly described picture Liz, I enjoyed this one much!!<*\\\>< I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. I don't question YOUR existance - GOD |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
Wow, my friend. As usual your words paint a slendid picture to look at and I felt as if I could just step out and fall right into the scene. This was outstanding from the first line and just kept getting better. |
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Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
Elizabeth~ this is a beautiful write! I am a native of North Carolina and this brought not only a smile but some tears to my eyes. Though things here in the south aren't exactly like they were in the good 'ol days...it's still home to me. you've touched me deeply with this and i humbly thank you! take care ~amy~ ~A true friend is one soul in two bodies~ |
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