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Open Poetry #15
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669
Michigan, US

0 posted 2001-08-28 01:30 AM


Recent chronicles, by itinerant and marginally clandestine travelers, have perhaps set Michigan in a slightly unfavorable light. Revamping an older poem, I though maybe I should set the record straight about our Great Lakes climate and the thrills of wilderness living.






Michigan Summer

My road is sun baked dirt and stone,
my yard a field of wild grass grown,
and at my furthest boundary,
tall rows of corn stand guard for me.

At dark the stars become a torch,
the brightest light from my back porch,
and fireflies mime the stars in flight;
I find I see much more at night.

My neighbors are the maple trees
and swooping wrens and bumble bees,
a snowshoe rabbit running wild,
a tawny doe with freckled child.

We share a home near glacier's gift
of arctic waters left adrift,
one lake of many lakes around
a place called Colon, my home town.

It rains a lot on summer days,
cold torrents masking morning haze,
as thunder rocks the window eaves,
and branches lift to find appease.

Clouds roll across the tear-stained sky
Like cinema, too fast to spy,
Wind-sped and dark, they come and go,
Receiving thanks from things that grow.

So, when the storm has fin'ly passed,
and water sparkles in the grass,
with rainbows lining freshened skies
ablaze with sunshine in disguise,

When creatures small and large peek out
from enclaves cast in Summer's doubt,
remember, this is Michigan -
the weather's bound to change again.


© Copyright 2001 Ron Carnell - All Rights Reserved
ramrog
Member
since 2001-08-22
Posts 50

1 posted 2001-08-28 01:34 AM


When can I move...hehe.  What a great painting of your home.

"If you choose not to decide,
You still have made a choice."
Neil Pert

Saunni
Senior Member
since 2000-07-11
Posts 1777
West Virginia
2 posted 2001-08-28 02:02 AM


Oh, so very very beautiful! I love this place you call home!

Sauni @~~~>~~

The Sun Shines
Not On Us, But In Us
The River Flows Not Past,
But Through Us

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
3 posted 2001-08-28 02:35 AM


Ron~
LOL @ that intinerate MissGypsiNess ! !

Well, sir ... the Michigan Chamber of Commerce would be proud of your efforts !

Good to see ya' !
~*Marge*~

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

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
4 posted 2001-08-28 02:54 AM



Ron-
   This really is beautiful!
   Almost makes me want to move
   to Michigan...almost!  LOL!
   Wonderful job of setting the record straight!
   Great to see a poem from you!

   ~vicky


"...until you have read the verse on his
heart, you have not truely met the poet."
-vlraynes



serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

5 posted 2001-08-28 03:16 AM


That's it---we all spend next summer at RON'S!!!  

Truly lovely, Ron. And I would write a poem about summer in New Orleans? But I write enough depressing poetry, and I may be publicly flogged for ruining the tourist industry!  

Siofra
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2000-09-28
Posts 551
State of Suspended Passion
6 posted 2001-08-28 03:17 AM


It is great to see some work from you, and you make it sound sound so intricately beautiful there.   All I used think of was snow when I thought of Michigan! Now I think of much more.
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
7 posted 2001-08-28 07:06 AM


"My neighbors are the maple trees
and swooping wrens and bumble bees,
a snowshoe rabbit running wild,
a tawny doe with freckled child."

I think you've also beautifully described Ontario here Ron. You had me smiling all the way through ... I almost felt like I was home in the country again, and not here in the city. Beautiful cadence and rhyme, and the imagery is so very vivid. Thank you for the nature smiles this morning, very much enjoyed!  

Best wishes,
/Kit

RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533

8 posted 2001-08-28 08:01 AM


The place sounds alive and that's a good thing. Enjoyed.
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
9 posted 2001-08-28 08:10 AM



This brings back some wonderful memories of the two years that I lived in Michigan!  While a little greener than the state I live in now, much of what you say is true...don't like the weather? Stick around five minutes, it'll change...

and change is good!  

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
10 posted 2001-08-28 10:04 PM


This brought back many, many memories. I truly love Michigan in every season but winter (and even then, when naked black trees are covered with ice, it's magic!). Going home to Michigan is not out of the realm of possiblity for me even though I hate to drive in snow (looking for a snow plow man!).

You've written a beautiful brochure about a lovely place. In all honesty, it brought a tear to my eye and a bit of longing to my heart....do you have a spare room for me?

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
11 posted 2001-08-28 10:16 PM


Ron,
You've touched the nerves inside of me
With some place that I'd love to be
Your simple words and simple store
Has openned me a simple door.
Thank you so much Ron. Sy

Masked Intruder
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 Tours
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-05-23
Posts 1231
Near golden sunsets
12 posted 2001-08-28 10:47 PM


And voila, he let's us again know why he is a god.  *grins*  Lovely piece, Ron.  Fine form and awesome images.
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
13 posted 2001-08-28 11:41 PM


Excellent! This is just the way it is! Well, except in Colon Michigan, during the first week of August each year when it becomes an enchanting and  magical place to explore.  

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
Dancing with you in the summer rain~

MissGypsiNess
Junior Member
since 2001-07-02
Posts 21
MyWay - The HighWay
14 posted 2001-08-29 09:29 AM


I've trod that road of dirt and stone
And dwelt among tall grasses grown.
Within the mist of early morn,
Green meadows now replete with corn.

As silent rabbits on the watch,
Chipmunks cavort the berry patch.
Regale the doe with twinlet fawn
Meandering about at dawn.

From nestling 'neath the cherry tree
Grand monarchs flit with bumblebees,
And fireflies that light the night
Like starlets borne in earthly flight.

Outside the pane when sound's unheard,
A Riverview of hummingbirds;
As watchett parents perched on high
Help downy bluejays learn to fly.

Cool showers of rain reprieve for days
Of summer sun's enscorching  rays.
The glacial Great Lake Michigan
Embodies power of Nature's hand.

This sleepy town is magical;
Clandestine folk whose lives are full,
Yet standing tall amongst the rest
ImPassioned host who is the best…

Charisma
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-09-30
Posts 5906
lost in blue pages
15 posted 2001-08-29 09:37 AM


Sounds good!!

thanks for the wonderful view of your hometown.

Charisma

Mother_Earth
Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan
16 posted 2001-08-29 10:30 AM


Ron, this is great.  We USED to have only neighbors of maple trees.  Now the trees are being cut, the fields of corn turned into lawns and the rabbits and deer killed by the traffic on these back roads.  Oh, to be back in those good-'ol-days".  I can still remember how it used to be and am still looking for that place.  You did a beautiful job, though.  Thanks,  ME
vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
17 posted 2001-08-29 11:19 AM


enjoyed it
Sven
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Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
18 posted 2001-08-29 07:02 PM


hey. . . it's still this way. . . you're just not looking in the right places. . .

thanks Ron for sharing with the world just what it is that makes this place so special. . . and why we love it so much. . . even when it snows. . .  

-------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
19 posted 2001-08-29 07:35 PM


Ron--In your poem is the first time I've been to Michigan..I very much enjoyed it..thank you!!
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
20 posted 2001-08-30 07:48 AM


Ron,
You could make Brownsville, Tx. sound like a retreat to Eden, Not downplaying Michigan, It's just that you see all the beauty and express it exquisitely.
This was a delight to read,
Superb writing
The poetic response was equally intriguing
Liz

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
21 posted 2001-08-30 11:53 AM


Arctic Aurora nights
Are heaven's delight
But maybe Michigan nights are
Out of sight!
Your poem let me enjoy your home
Vicariously

Thanks for sharing the natural wonders of your world.

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
22 posted 2001-08-30 11:57 AM


Wonderful word pictures and format. Brings the virtual reality out crisply and clearly....Nice work!
Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
23 posted 2001-08-30 02:55 PM


You're bound to make a favorable impression of your state with this poem!  
Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

24 posted 2001-08-30 03:03 PM


A wonderful write Ron, you paint images with your words that give the reader a peaceful feeling and allows them to see what you see and feel.  Beautiful.  I am glad that you reposted this.  *s*

On the wings of words our spirits fly....and our souls are free.
~Me~

(I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance~Garth)

Titia Geertman
Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182
Netherlands
25 posted 2001-08-30 05:10 PM


As you've described your homested dear
that's how I feel at my place here
one with nature when storms will blow
farmers country with corns that grow
even in winter when the soil looks bold
I'll walk in my nature enduring the cold
I'm sure I'll enjoy your Michigan too
who knows one day I'll come and visit you


Thanks dear Ron for letting me know how Michigan looks like, must be a great place to live in.

Titia



A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess...
Feel free to use the pictures on my website. http://communities.msn.com/Titiasplace/


[This message has been edited by Titia Geertman (edited 08-30-2001).]

shadow974
Senior Member
since 2001-06-21
Posts 636
Michigan
26 posted 2001-08-30 05:24 PM


Great write Ron, our Michigan is a special place that's for sure. With all the lakes and the national forests. In just a few weeks the woods will be a blaze with color. It's inspiring.

Throw your heart out in front of you
And run out to catch it.
ARAB PROVERB

Cerenity
Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 2637
Escondido-California
27 posted 2001-09-02 12:28 PM


Hi Ron,

This sounds like a place I would love to see, truly wonderful writing here, very much enjoyed,

Love, Cerenity

"God doesn't have to be reminded that we exist.
We have to be reminded that He exist!"

(Writer Unknown)



Drauntz
Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905
Los Angeles California
28 posted 2007-06-18 02:05 PM


beautiful song for hometown.

enjoyed.

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