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Cpat Hair
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Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793


0 posted 2003-02-18 10:48 AM


Seller’s ridge is a hogback
Formed millions of years ago
When tectonic plates shifted
And what was lying down
Was forced to stand upright.

Today it runs for about 3 miles
Along hwy 53 as you head south
Along the east side of Oklahoma
And divides narrow valleys
Into different worlds.

I crossed it on county road K
Winding up the sides in a series
Of miniature mountain switchbacks
Until at the top
Between two giant teeth of stone
One could stop and peer down.

I met her there of all places
As she had stopped to take pictures
Spending time with tripod and lenses
Trying to capture a perfect shot
That blended light and shadow
To show the true depths
Of what she saw.

I’d stopped in her field of view
And was stretching my legs
When she walked over and asked me
In a firm but polite way
If I would mind moving my eyesore
Of an old truck to someplace
Less photogenic.

If she hadn’t smiled and laughed at me
I might have been alright,
But the way her eyes took me in
And her disarming smile
Told me moving the truck
Was the least of my worries.

I pulled up a few hundred feet ,
Hiked back to where she was working
Found a stone sit down
And watched.

Lithe in form
She filled out the jeans nicely
And the faded checkered flannel
Couldn’t hide the swell of her.

Shaking my head and mumbling
I took my eyes to the view
Wondering to myself how many
Indians and hunters has looked down
Thinking this is mine…

I heard the click and a crunch of gravel
As I turned
“Damn you.” she shouted ,
“Turn around and be still!”
“you ruined my picture!”

Flustered I turned back to the view
But felt my face getting red
Half in anger and half embarrassed

“You done?” I asked

“For now.” She replied.

“Where you staying?” she continued
“I’ll show you the pictures later if you want to see them.”

“I’m not sure I am staying.” I replied

She looked at me, tore a cardboard film box
Scribbled something on it and handed it to me.
“Be there around 8 tonight, I’ll have the pictures”

for some reason, I couldn’t find any words
so I just nodded and headed for truck

On the way down the other side of Seller’s
I remembered how to speak
And all I could say was
“Damn.”
………………………………………………………..

Along the verdant valley far below the ridge
Along the winding highway, lies old Bowly’s bridge
I used to go there swimming in the summers sun
Had me one or two there when we were both too young

Can you meet me there at midnight on warm summer eve
Were the words promises or are they things we now must grieve
You told me that you’d love me and we would find a way
To  make old Bowly’s our private place to play

………………………………………………………….

[This message has been edited by Cpat Hair (02-18-2003 10:52 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved
Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

1 posted 2003-02-18 10:50 AM


I love poems that transport the reader to a far away place.
This one does.
Eric

wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
2 posted 2003-02-18 10:51 AM


Yes....Damn.

Ed

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2003-02-18 10:55 AM


Sounds like me after reading you Captain...
damn...

~ Trace my body with your words..
And in doing so, you touch my heart. ~

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
4 posted 2003-02-18 11:00 AM


More than a geology lesson here...I have a feeling things are going to get more interesting...

believe in what your heart feels...

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
5 posted 2003-02-18 11:01 AM



I remembered how to speak
and all I could say was
"damn"...

got that right.

garysgirl
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Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
6 posted 2003-02-18 11:14 AM


Sounded like he got a different view than she did...LOL  
regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
7 posted 2003-02-18 12:04 PM




Of course, like all the others enjoyed the romantic story line. But, also the imagery is so terrific. Especially in the first stanza.

Enjoyed much, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
8 posted 2003-02-18 12:06 PM


Damn, I left this writing wanting so badly to be her. *sigh*

Your words move me to another world.

Susan

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
9 posted 2003-02-18 03:21 PM


nice
Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

10 posted 2003-02-18 04:09 PM


'“Be there around 8 tonight, I’ll have the pictures”

for some reason, I couldn’t find any words
so I just nodded and headed for truck

On the way down the other side of Seller’s
I remembered how to speak
And all I could say was
“Damn.”'

Yeah damn...and I'm stuck in a truck with Jake!  

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
11 posted 2003-02-19 12:04 PM




(smiles) This sure ain't your ordinary geography lesson, dearest friend, this would make the Deluxe Rand McNally edition, I love this, you should publish all of these wonderful snapshots and make soe kind of photo album-esque poetry book, yay, what a marvelous scene, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Ron, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
12 posted 2003-02-19 12:10 PM


oh my!
I could see the whole scene and ..wow
yea.. this is good
..plus the fact that, it mentions Oklahoma, which means I'm already in love with it...

Always, Alyssa

- And so it was that time stood still -
     (blink, breathe, stand, fight)

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