navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #22 » Pig Roast, Country Style
Open Poetry #22
Post A Reply Post New Topic Pig Roast, Country Style Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2002-10-06 09:28 AM



Pig Roast, Country Style

He had signed on for a week’s work,
the rancher needing
one more pair of hands to finish up the barn –
a hired hand for just food and board, with
a bunkhouse keeping dry some drifters’ dreams.

Konrad wondered
why the rancher’s wife kept coming
to the back door of her house
during the first part of the week, just
to watch, with expectant eyes
eyeing all the men in their stoop,
stand, hammer motions,
until Wednesday morning,

when she came out, spoke quietly to
her husband, turning from his face
to the hired men, back to him,
then smiling when he nodded, for she grinned,
eagerly, and it seemed the sun broke out
from her smile, that cool October morn…

Konrad warmed under that smile, not having
any idea why he should, just that it looked
so agreeable
in her husband’s eyes, that smile,
a kind of lingering good hope that
would result in everyone having one quality day,
all because of a happy woman…

the rancher sauntered over
saying to the hired hands, “if you can all stay on
till the weekend, we’d like to have you join
us, a few neighbors will be over,
annual pig roast, you know.”

Without waiting for an answer, just accepting
gaunt smiles and hungry bellies reason enough for wanting
to accept, he ambled on to his own chores.
Konrad watched, as the weathered faces
of the other two hired hands
seemed eager for Saturday night,
perhaps they had been through this way before,
possibly their stomachs knew what to expect.

On Friday, the rancher commented, “no more real
work to be done, boys, y’all did a fine job,”
so when Saturday came, soon enough,
the barn was ready, but Konrad wanted
to pitch in, although the pig’s roast
was family routine, etched in decades
of tradition, so after some morning help
of setting up tables, chairs, large chests for ice,
and hauling wood for the pit,
he hung back to watch…

and the air smelled October good, snappish,
like plucked apples just before being crisped brown
and bettied, Konrad took up the curved plastic
seat and settled into comfort during late afternoon,

he sat back, watching the fall blue highway,
as horsetails crossed the sky, tails in full plume of gallop,
remembering his rides in life,
his eagerness to get out of the chute of home,
away from Iambe’s truthful eyes,
but missing Dillon’s cooking,

and not grieving the loss of Jake’s taunts.

Dusk came quietly, pinkly on the eastern
horizon, blazing gold on the western
slopes, a wake-up to get ready for sleep type
feel in the air, and the neighbors began
to stream in, bringing covered dishes
of Midwest heritage, all smelling of ancient recipes…
and Konrad remembering which dishes the
rancher’s wife brought to the table.

Konrad held back, noting a few Jake-types
among the men, not seeing any Iambes in their
women, but very aware that
the air was reminiscent of Dillon’s perfumed
kitchen from the rancher’s wife’s offerings,
and as the line of eager eaters wound
short, he surveyed the groaning tables laden
with love, and sampled all of the hands’
gatherings, doubled up on her portions,
which led to the hitching loose
his belt buckle, one notch…two notches…

and his dessert was one more helping
of pig and her red potato salad, a handshake
with the rancher, a nod to the wife,
and a walk to the highway, replete of the
week, jotting in his mind’s eye
his observations of her face,
for the stories yet to come.


[This message has been edited by Sunshine (10-06-2002 09:34 AM).]

© Copyright 2002 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

1 posted 2002-10-06 10:23 AM


A grande write Karilea, but you made me hungry for a good ole fashioned pig roast.  There will be many coming up soon, the fall always brings with it such wonderful event.  Hugs.

If I have touched one heart through my words, then I have acheived my dream...

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
2 posted 2002-10-06 10:25 AM


I'm truly absorbed into the brisk autumn essence of this work, Karilea - I can feel the ambience of your scenaria through the eys of your characters... It's wonderful... and leaves me to await another excerpt..
2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
3 posted 2002-10-06 10:33 AM


Interesting. The premier is complete. When does the series begin?

Thanks,
Melton

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
4 posted 2002-10-06 11:22 AM


Gee Karilea..a series here?  Please??
This...
"and the air smelled October good, snappish,
like plucked apples just before being crisped brown"
and then...
"he sat back, watching the fall blue highway,
as horsetails crossed the sky, tails in full plume of gallop,
remembering his rides in life,"
Oooh just so much for my mind's eye to gather in...
wonderful..THIS is wonderful...as are you sweet poetess.
~Hugs~

~ Time has cast a spell on you
  So you won't ever forget me ~

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
5 posted 2002-10-06 11:39 AM


"Morning, Karilea. I, too, am finding myself waiting in expectancy to see what is going to happen with your wonderful characters. I know I've said it before, but Karilea your talent is so great !! I love to read your work. You paint such a pretty picture. I could almost taste the food you described. My Mom's family reunion is coming up on the third week-end of this month and this made me hungry for all the delicious variety of food that everyone brings to it!! Umm-m-m!! Thanks, again, for sharing your wonderful work and thoughts with us!!
Love to all,
Ethel

[This message has been edited by garysgirl (10-06-2002 11:42 AM).]

paladin
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2001-08-05
Posts 930
Pensacola,Fl.
6 posted 2002-10-06 11:47 AM


A great slice of American apple pie.Reminds me of the writings of John Steinbeck.Great tale of rural life.I was brought up on a farm.This poem brings back fond menorys.

paladin

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

7 posted 2002-10-06 11:53 AM


COUCHON D'LAIT--

chuckling now...for Mysteria (who likes recipes?)

ONE Dead Pig

One Big Hole

Fire

Cook

Drink until ANYTHING is delicious

and?

a lot of

"Joie de vivre"

then?

" Laissez le Bon Temps Rouler"

and? http://www.intairvacances.com/pdf_selection2002/circuits/circuitlouis_F.pdf

OH. WAIT.
http://www.cookincajunrecipes.com/fuel.html


sigh...and now I missed Konrad too, eh? NOT ONLY did I plant water-loving sugar cane in dry west TEXAS? But I completely forgot a family member! jeez...sometimes I'm exactly like my mother! rofl...sigh...maybe I'll quit making people up and write about them---wicked grin--the pen is excellent revenge!

sigh.

How many of these ARE there Kari? (can't keep up with you, yanno. shaking my head)

[This message has been edited by serenity blaze (10-06-2002 11:57 AM).]

Nightshade
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
8 posted 2002-10-06 11:55 AM


Karilea -  I am captivated by this story. Wonderful writing...just wonderful. Chris

Life is not measured by breaths you take, but by moments that take your breath away.

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

9 posted 2002-10-06 12:02 PM


OH...and please see that Nan gets this?

as o matta o fak cher, I tink you like it too!  
http://members.tripod.com/adm/popunder/tripod_popunder.html?member_name=nanbug&path=cajdic.html&client_ip=152.163.188.227&ts=1033919937&ad_type=EMBED&category=home&search_string=co

[This message has been edited by serenity blaze (10-06-2002 12:04 PM).]

sigheyes
Member
since 2001-04-25
Posts 323
the winds of destiny
10 posted 2002-10-06 01:10 PM


This is excellent writing Sunshine!
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
11 posted 2002-10-06 05:42 PM


Karilea

Wonderful new involvement in this character and how he looks at things.  Maybe while I'm gone I'll write some more of Dillon.  See ya in a week...Aloha!

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
12 posted 2002-10-06 07:13 PM


A story well told...Sunshine...and based on the earlier replies...a series in the making...I await the next chapter....

...believe what your heart feels.....

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

13 posted 2002-10-07 07:42 AM


ahhhh the imagery ... the sights ... the smells...you created the whole scene for us as you create a new muse.
Im on to the next one...waay cool

Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
14 posted 2002-10-07 02:06 PM


A fine tale, indeed!

Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write.

bsquirrel
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855

15 posted 2002-10-07 03:14 PM


http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/rp/poems/frost10.html

You blow my mind, Karilea.....

and Sen, now I'm all hungry and bothered!
to both of you!

Man Without Hat

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
16 posted 2002-10-08 06:07 PM


"Dusk came quietly, pinkly on the eastern
horizon, blazing gold on the western
slopes, a wake-up to get ready for sleep type
feel in the air, and the neighbors began
to stream in, bringing covered dishes
of Midwest heritage, all smelling of ancient recipes…
and Konrad remembering which dishes the
rancher’s wife brought to the table."




(smiles) BRAVO!!! Oh Karilea, I could smell the apple alderwood and the cinnamon smoke and everything reading this, this is awesome, this reminds me so very much of this weekend when I had fried chicken and cajun wings and fried potatoes and pecan pie with my grandparents families! (big hugggsssss) This is wonderful, sweet friend, I love it, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Karilea, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

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

Shakira

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #22 » Pig Roast, Country Style

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary