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Open Poetry #36
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Pink Chablis
| Open Poetry #36 |
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Pink Chablis |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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Pink Chablis On Tuesday nights I brought her pink Chablis, cold from the cooler at the A&P; brought it because she asked for me when she called the taxi stand. Some days there were other things, bread, oatmeal, once a rack of lamb, but on those Tuesdays only pink Chablis would do. I’d stay if the hacks were light, the talk something she treasured, or seemed to in an ancient way. She was afraid of the boxes: “It’s closing in on me,” she said, with a sidelong look, the next room waiting, stacked high. “This whole big house and only two rooms I can use, this kitchen and the upstairs bedroom; all the rest...” and a shrug. “I don’t know what they’ll want when I’m gone, so I keep it all. The kids, I mean, they’ll want something, they always do, but not until after you’ve died. Right now there’s no one, only me and these seventeen cats, them and all these boxes.” I don’t think she knew, always said a different number. More likely, she didn’t care; it’s best not to count cats when all you have are cats and boxes, and a taxi man who brings you pink Chablis, but only when you ask for him on Tuesday nights. [This message has been edited by Ratleader (09-21-2005 09:50 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2005 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed...this story is so touching, especially knowing that it is real. I'm so glad that you posted it here.  |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Ed, You may have a leather head but you have a tender heart. I like that about you.  If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
What Larry said. |
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Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
wow Ed, this is a great story.... ~~**~~ |
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ctowen Member Elite
since 2001-10-18
Posts 2286Green Mountains of VT |
Tuesday nights seem to have their way .... excellent piece!! CT A word in hand is worth two in a hush ... CTOwen/05 |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
RatL....you are a master tale taler! Feel like I knew this lady....hey, what the heck...maybe I am this woman. Anyway, much enjoyed. Thank goodness for taxi drivers. ....jo |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Ed, this is such a touching story. I felt as though I was standing there looking in at you talking with the lady.....after you had given to her the pink chablis. Thanks for being so tenderhearted and for being able to tell these stories that show how you are. Hugs, Ethel |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
it’s best not to count cats when all you have are cats and boxes, and a taxi man who brings you pink Chablis, And at that, she had a lot... Caring, concern and compassion may not fill a wallet but they can certainly help a heart. *S* You've told her story so vividly I feel I know her... This tender beauty touches deeply! *S* |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Enjoyed...James |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ed~ In poetic disguise ... a blessing~ A heart that takes the time to carry 'Pink Chablis' ... special~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*No matter what I search for ... |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
I wished her well, and for myself I wished I could somehow give her a more lasting balm for that essential loneliness, than what I could bring in a sack or with a half-hour of friendship. The other drivers at Ridgewood Taxi referred to her contemptuously as "The Cat Lady"....but I just couldn't. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
And I think your choice was most appropriate, not calling her the cat lady...Seems there is a nice friendship stirring... Enjoyed the feel of this...almost felt like downtown NYC or some other place of similar venue. |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
Good shootin --Ridgewood's just outside of NYC, on the Jersey side of the river.... ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
You are indeed a gentle soul...hugs to you Ed. Now - while the leaves still dance on the wind |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Agreeing with my sister Enchantress Ed. You are indeed a gentle man. hugs, Chris Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance. |
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Robert Frazier Senior Member
since 2003-02-06
Posts 1014 |
well done! enjoyed this very much! Robert |
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