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Open Poetry #36
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serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738


0 posted 2005-10-09 03:29 AM


I thought rice appeared in bags
and plastic sheathing was its womb
and there was but a choice of two
one wore a turban that confused
me, as just a child, I asked,
"What had rice to do with hats?"
"Hats?" my mother asked bemused,
"Ma-hat-ma" I read the blue
print upon the plastic bag
and asked her if she wore one too
since ma, her name, was on the sack.

She laughed and told me that she did
tie a turban when her wig
was too flat to fit her head--
and then she wore those fitted flecks
of pink sparkles feigning wet
shimmers like a bathing cap
and god I loved those things--I'd get
one for bathtime when I could
so I could be grace and good
swimming in the bathtub, I
thought that I was synchronized
scizzor kicking innocence
knowing I would pay penance
for ruining ma's hat.

Then there was a "watermaid"
and yep, it all made sense to me
India and swimming pools
and rice that made my tummy full
and damn, I tell ya, life was good
until I stole mom's underwear
and bathed that girdle black to blue
wearing her pink sparkled hat
and boats afloat
aluminum
foil curled into grand ships
and dammit, sometimes Barbie slipped
as I learned to engineer
the balances of gondola

in my world of pink bathtub
singing bubbles on the brim
"Ma-hat-maaaaaaaaaaaaa"
cried gondolier.

A "Watermaid" am I.

© Copyright 2005 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved
Kaoru
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since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892
where the wild flowers grow
1 posted 2005-10-09 06:56 AM


I thought rice appeared in bags
and plastic sheathing was its womb
and there was but a choice of two
one wore a turban that confused
me, as just a child, I asked,
"What had rice to do with hats?"

Gah, I'm speechless.

Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
2 posted 2005-10-09 08:29 AM


serenity,
You just amaze me love.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2005-10-09 09:05 AM


Ser~it is SOOO good to be reading you again!!
Love ya lady~

~Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.~

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
4 posted 2005-10-09 03:56 PM


This is truly just too much. Thanks for the smiles..I love your mind. .martyjo
Sunshine
Administrator
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
5 posted 2005-10-09 04:03 PM



You willful, capricious story-spinner!

I loved this!

Janette
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Member Elite
since 2001-07-20
Posts 2843
Chicagoland for now
6 posted 2005-10-09 05:38 PM


I love this peek at times long past.

silly product names
odd lady's hats
girdles ... ohhh those old girdles of iron
(mercy how did they breath in them?)
Barbie
and lovely colored porcelain bath fixtures ... ours was baby blue

Thanks for making me ... remember mine, too.

I have always enjoyed reading your work and even though I only know you through your writing please know that you have been on my mind often.  I pray that you are safe and all is well or at least better for you.

always seeking joy, adventure and romance and wishing you find the same

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
7 posted 2005-10-09 09:12 PM


Karen..I remember too, and I see how lovely you!!!     Thanks for the smiles!
Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
8 posted 2005-10-09 09:45 PM


man, did I ever giggle reading this, and yanno what? I could paint this scene by your descriptions, pink shiny hat, girdle, aluminum boats and all.
Loved the hat/ma connection.

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
9 posted 2005-10-10 01:48 AM



Smilin' huge at you...

Love this, Karen...

and love YOU...


"When the power of love overcomes the love
of power the world will know peace."
--Jimi Hendrix

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

10 posted 2005-10-10 01:58 AM


ma-hat-maaaa.....smilin wide at you...

this is just precious M'lady



So good to read you again

mxx

~i want for myself your trembling~

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
11 posted 2005-10-10 02:43 PM


smiling~ remembering what I can of my childhood and the  strange thoughts I dreamt up about "things"..dressing in my sister's clothing...being frightened by a clay man she made in art class with glass eyes that followed me as I walked past her room...


hugs
M

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
12 posted 2005-10-10 03:08 PM


This a a great "growing up" story.  Isn't it funny how those interpretations stay in our memories so long!  With the others, I also bid you "welcome back"!!!!  Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

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

13 posted 2005-10-10 04:30 PM




I did a lot of thinking about rice while I was in Crowley, and the way my head processes stuff, this is what came of it.

I'm so glad you enjoyed this, as I took a moment to remember my "inner child" and decided she might not be so bad after all.



I would love to hear more, too. So if this inspired anyone to recall their own childhood craziness, please do share.

I love you all.

And now? frowning, seems I'm punished.

I've gotta clean my room!

Love to all...

kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
14 posted 2005-10-10 08:40 PM


There is a bridge in Minneapolis called the 8th Avenue bridge.  At one time, "Boom" Island was separated from the main part of town by about 100 feet of Mississippi River.  In the winter, as boys, we could walk to the island for various things youngsters find to do.  When the river melted, the only way to get to the island was to walk the girders of the bridge.  So we did.  We were aged 10.  I never did get caught for that one.  Hugs Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
15 posted 2005-10-10 09:54 PM


You are too much!  Remind me to tell you story of the secret compartment in the wooden surround that housed our turquoise blue bathtub Oh, I was SO bad!
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
16 posted 2005-10-17 09:32 PM


This made me chuckle to myself!  Ma-hat-ma!  LOL.....Loved it!   ......jojo
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
17 posted 2005-10-17 09:37 PM


you keep that spirit alive, m'Lady
of your precious city.

(yes, you sent me on a search, as usual)

And I saw they are both native to N.O.

*smile*


Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
18 posted 2005-10-17 11:05 PM


The way your head processes "stuff" is always amazing to me

This one is ghandilicious

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

19 posted 2005-10-21 04:34 PM


I thought rice appeared in bags
and plastic sheathing was its womb
and there was but a choice of two
one wore a turban that confused
me, as just a child, I asked,
"What had rice to do with hats?"
"Hats?" my mother asked bemused,
"Ma-hat-ma" I read the blue
print upon the plastic bag
and asked her if she wore one too
since ma, her name, was on the sack.


its so right that your brilliance is framed in blue. Missed reading you me twin.

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
20 posted 2005-10-21 06:19 PM


good read
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