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Open Poetry #37
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The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest

0 posted 2006-03-11 06:46 PM



I walked by the kitchen window
of the old lady downstairs this morning
do you know what she was doing
sitting in a chair
painting green vines on the wall
singing some ancient song
about feeling groovy
the cats on the table
statues
amidst pots of paint and brushes
watching her every green stroke
I have seen her come and go
limping
twirling dizzy in her old lady shoes
sometimes carrying a covered dish
to a neighbor
sometimes bringing home chulupas
from the taqueria round the corner
she cleans the courtyard of
trash left by younger people
as if it were a duty given to her
by some law
now forgotten
unimportant
save to her

really
she was painting
on the kitchen wall
as if to cause beauty
she’s strange
the old lady downstairs
still
she seems harmless enough

A grain of poetry suffices to season a century.
   ~ Jose’ Marti

© Copyright 2006 Kate - All Rights Reserved
Goldenrose
Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665

1 posted 2006-03-11 06:55 PM


How very preciously you write, you lead us gently into the scene and the old lady is a thing of loveliness from the past and i feel for her and it was you who made me feel this way with your great words..well done and thank you..
Goldenrose.

Desire for nothing except desirelessness,hope for nothing except to rise above all hopes, want nothing and you will have everything.avatar Meher Baba.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2006-03-11 06:55 PM


Kate~You are a joy to read!!
Thank you for making my day with this wonderful encore.
Hugs~Nancy

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

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

3 posted 2006-03-11 07:59 PM


I am convinced now, that everyone needs a little old lady in their life.

A charming portrait, Lady, which truly evoked the serenity that I only dream of.

XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia
4 posted 2006-03-11 08:29 PM


I'm sure your vines are beautiful  ::bows::
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
5 posted 2006-03-11 10:26 PM



You are very kind Goldenrose. Thank
you so much.

Thank you Nancy for your thoughtful
reply. Hugs.

Little old ladies are a
real necessity Serenity.
They slow you down, make
you think. Thank you.

Why thank you Uriah!

HopeS
Member Elite
since 2000-12-22
Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia
6 posted 2006-03-12 01:39 AM


You took me to the scene and I like the old lady

Hope

Skyfire
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-12-27
Posts 3381
Riding
7 posted 2006-03-12 02:38 AM


Old ladies rock   

Enjoyed

and then He created the horse...

Deep_Inside
Member
since 2002-02-14
Posts 377
i can't stop hiding
8 posted 2006-03-12 02:50 AM


Nice
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
9 posted 2006-03-12 05:35 PM




Thank you Hope. I'm glad you like my little old lady.

Thank you Skyfire and Deep Inside.


Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
10 posted 2006-03-13 05:44 PM


I enjoyed the view through your eyes. She sounds like a woman with whom I would enjoy engaging in a conversation over a nice cup of tea ~ as I would you!


Linda

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
11 posted 2006-03-13 05:47 PM



Thank you Linda. Earl Grey, Red Zinger... what's your pleasure?    

Kate


JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
12 posted 2006-03-13 07:06 PM


Enjoyed...reminded me of a place I lived one time...there was an elderly couple living in the house next door, and shortly thereafter his wife passed away, and shortly thereafter he passed away...I remember him as being really nice...James
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
13 posted 2006-03-13 11:57 PM



I'm glad it brought up memories for you. Thank you James.

Kathy
Member
since 2006-02-10
Posts 153

14 posted 2006-03-14 12:22 PM


Your attention to detail, as a spotlight...drawing universal eyes into focus...this... your wonderful talent!

Hugs,
Kathy

StevenS
Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)
15 posted 2006-03-14 03:26 AM


You are a joy to read dear Lady! :-)
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
16 posted 2006-03-14 03:30 AM



Thank you Kathy... what a nice thing to say.
Hugs.

Thank you Stevenfor your kind words. :-)


Thomas119gold
Senior Member
since 2002-06-03
Posts 708
Biloxi, MS (city by the sea)
17 posted 2006-03-14 10:14 AM


A beautiful write

Tommy

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
18 posted 2006-03-14 02:57 PM


Kate, I love the exquisite detail your Van Gogh brushstrokes paint into your characters.  It lifts them out of your poem and into real life.

- Owl

eor
Senior Member
since 2002-09-26
Posts 959
blues & greys
19 posted 2006-03-14 03:58 PM


this poem reminds me of a neighbor i used to live across the street from. nice write.

A cange is going to come...

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
20 posted 2006-03-14 05:32 PM




Thank you Tommy.

Owl, I appreciate your response. You are so kind.

Thank you eor. Glad it brought up a memory.


miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
21 posted 2006-03-14 05:46 PM


Standing ovation!!!  You not only painted a wonderful portrait, but also brought back some of those nostagic songs and memories.

misc'e

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
22 posted 2006-03-14 05:53 PM




Thanks for the standing ovation misc'e! Glad you it brought good memories.


Dominique-Simone
Senior Member
since 2005-11-12
Posts 643

23 posted 2006-03-23 10:01 PM


I have lost all words that I could use to express how great this is! Thank you for bringing these stories to us.
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
24 posted 2006-03-23 11:39 PM


I think I really like that little, old lady!  I love the way you write!   ....jo
terasinas
Member
since 2006-03-24
Posts 91
Michigan ... The Great Lakes
25 posted 2006-03-24 11:54 AM


I love quarky old people and vines ... I think I will be like she when I am old. Nice writing ... find an old friend, they're more valuable than you know

tera

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
26 posted 2006-03-24 11:56 AM


I loved the real grit and starry optimism of this "take a step back" piece.

Very well done, thanks for sharing!

WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218

27 posted 2006-03-24 07:35 PM


I like the old lady too! This is one of your best!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
28 posted 2006-03-28 05:28 PM




Aw shucks… thank you Page.

Thank you so much Jo.  


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