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Open Poetry #12
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Corinne
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since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2001-01-17 08:23 PM


The Clam Story

A memory appears
on my tongue -
lime juice and fresh clams,
a bar in a restaurant
on a sandy spit
in Baja.

We ride the train south
from the San Diego border
to the coast of Mexico,
a desert adventure -
exotic cacti and date palms,
in contrast -
the poverty of its people,
homes of scrap metal and
abandoned railroad cars,
small curious brown faces
press to the windows
as we roll to a slow stop,
children vending wares
of their country.

Mother motions for us to sit
on green vinyl barstools,
two hungry kids
who were promised shrimp
but they are not in season.
We are hungry enough
to suck down a few
salty, gritty
clams.

We walk back to the train,
skeletal dogs tail us,
mother takes our picture
we smile, squinting into the sun,
the train a yellow backdrop.

Halfway home,
we stop in Calexico
most of the riders make tracks,
the conductor orders us
to move to the caboose -
the only car
continuing north.

As the caboose chugs along,
we notice my brother is missing.
Through the rear window
I see his legs
moving very fast
along the tracks.
Mother yanks the emergency cable,
we screech to a halt,
my crying Bro
climbs aboard.

Being a sister,
I loudly sigh and
lament all the toys
I could have had.

© 2001 Corinne Bailey






[This message has been edited by Corinne (edited 01-17-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Corinne - All Rights Reserved
SEA
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with you
1 posted 2001-01-17 08:35 PM


Corinne~ SHAME ON YOU!!!! LOL Fantastic wirte......you made me feel so much so fast, like being on a roller coaster!   -SEA
Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

2 posted 2001-01-17 09:00 PM


a fantastic write, full of fire!!!!

Just what I would expect from an Irish lass.
Fire!!!

Kathleen


VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
3 posted 2001-01-17 09:07 PM


Extremely well recounted memory...well as far as I know.  You certainly pulled a chuckle from me with that last stanza!  It reminds me of Shel Silverstein's "Sister for Sale."

Heh-heh the other side of the coin, eh?

Again, wonderful write!

Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
4 posted 2001-01-17 10:06 PM


SEA, thanks! Glad you enjoyed the ride!

Thank you, Irish Rose, fire - that's how we got the red hair!

VAS - thank you! I think we all want to sell our sibs at some point or another!

Corinne

Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
5 posted 2001-01-17 10:14 PM


Corinne~
You are such a delight !
Turned the corner on me at the end - LOL !
Marvelous portrayal of sibling honesty !
~*Marge*~



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


Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
6 posted 2001-01-17 10:19 PM


I LOVE vignettes like this - and THIS is especially good!
Martie
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since 1999-09-21
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California
7 posted 2001-01-17 10:59 PM


Corinne--You told this wonderful memory story so well...loved it!
suthern
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since 1999-07-29
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Louisiana
8 posted 2001-01-18 03:56 PM


Great poem... the last verse is classic! LOL
Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
9 posted 2001-01-18 08:17 PM


Thanks, Marge, I was such a bratty sister!

Thank you, Bill, glad you liked!

Martie and Suthern, thank you!  

Corinne

Denise
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10 posted 2001-01-18 09:27 PM


Delightful, Corinne! I enjoyed this very much!

Denise

Corinne
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since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
11 posted 2001-01-19 02:47 PM


Thank you, Denise!

Corinne

Parker
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since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129
ON
12 posted 2001-01-19 04:56 PM


Corinne, this story is cool. My mother used to take us out to the coast when I was young on trains all the time.... and I use to always run up and down the cars for fun. but one time, the train separated and I was on my way to the last car and it wasn't there anymore.... scared me.  
I wonder if my sister was thinking the same thing.  

Park

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