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Open Poetry #24
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Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2003-01-02 08:11 PM


Charlie

Mother’s house abuts a canyon’s ridge,
a modest home with a priceless view
from deck and garden -
a generous valley,
a woman’s body.

The coyotes sleep in the day,
thick bushes hide their dens.
A reminder of their existence comes
in the piercing of night,
screeches hyena and witch-like.
They keep velvet cloaks about them
in their midnight hunts.

All except Charlie – a tame thing,
he came one day to claim Mother’s deck.
On summer afternoons,
he casually surveyed the gully below,
a constant breeze stirring his imagination.

He took a liking to one of Mom’s sneakers -
tossed it, played with it, rubbed his scent against it.
He became a friend, a new child for Mother.
She covered the walls of her living room with captured pictures of him.

No one is sure what happened to him,
shot perhaps or hit by a car, maybe killed
by a pack leader.

Yesterday, I hiked alone along the rim,
and found a single white shoe.

© 2002 Core



© Copyright 2003 Corinne - All Rights Reserved
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2003-01-02 08:18 PM


Corinne

My gosh, you sure know how to place an ending.  I love the sound of coyotes..we hear them here quite often..something lonely and, hmmm, poetic in their nights.  To befriend one isn't easy, that tennis shoe must have belonged to someone special.

Magnus
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Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
2 posted 2003-01-02 08:21 PM


Cor.

The depth of the picture of this is
incredible...and such a beautiful story
to be told...with an ending that lasts
within the mind for a lifetime..

SPIRIT
Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745
California Desert
3 posted 2003-01-02 09:54 PM


Awesome!!

Gentle breezes,
Wafting through my consciousness.
A pleasant awakening,
Reminding me of the contentment's
Of my life.   ©spirit


  

Salty
Senior Member
since 2002-11-23
Posts 669
Texas
4 posted 2003-01-02 10:05 PM


I just love stories such as this. I once lived 20 miles from the closest town, and many night I heard the howling of coyates.


I really enjoyed this write Corinne...very nice!!

~Salty

In the Midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
--Deepak Chop

garysgirl
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Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
5 posted 2003-01-02 10:12 PM


Corrine, I also use to live where we heard coyotes in the still of the night....never did meet a Charlie, though.....
I liked this and I will remmeber Charlie and your Mom's tennis shoe.....     

"Love makes the world go around"
~~with love and hugs from Ethel~~  
                  

[This message has been edited by garysgirl (01-02-2003 10:12 PM).]

wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
6 posted 2003-01-02 10:57 PM


You're poetry gets better and better (In my view, anyway)and this does all that I would expect a great poem to do.

Ed

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
7 posted 2003-01-02 11:04 PM


Corinne
Have I ever told you I like the way you write?

Diane Coway
Member
since 2002-08-01
Posts 61
USA
8 posted 2003-01-02 11:28 PM


I can picture your mom's place through your words.  By the way, I love the ending!
Hugs.
Red

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
9 posted 2003-01-03 05:18 AM


love it much! Great story!
Paul Wilson
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Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
10 posted 2003-01-03 06:31 AM


Corine~ Enjoyed very much. Maybe Charlie left a Charlie Jr. behind that will come visit one day...Paul

"To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you"

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

11 posted 2003-01-03 10:55 AM


an interesting telling with a strong ending wrapping it up.. reminded me of several "Charlies" of the animal world I have met... and of how I have often asked myself why they were so different from the others...

enjoyed...and I do mean that...

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
12 posted 2003-01-03 11:58 AM


A very wonderful write, Corinne - The natural cycle of life has its effects.  I surely hope you mom takes solace in all those photos - and let's hope Charlie lived a long happy coyote life...
Sandpiper
Senior Member
since 2002-06-15
Posts 738
land of flora and fauna
13 posted 2003-01-04 05:21 AM


awwwwwwwwww..as always, nature gives us the most beautiful gifts of all--a most touching read, beautifully written!!

"And it was at that age...Poetry arrived in search of me...And something started in my soul."
Pablo Neruda

Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
14 posted 2003-01-04 03:55 PM


Thanks very much guys! Guess I'll not tell Mom that I found her shoe...

Cor

Mistletoe Angel
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since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
15 posted 2003-01-04 04:56 PM




(sigh) Oh Corinne, this is so beautiful, sweet friend, I love coyotes and believe they are brothers to us all as we are all part of nature! (big hugggsssssss) This is precious and cute, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Corinne, thank youn for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

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

Shakira

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