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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 2006-04-30 10:26 PM




   I feel like sugar on the floor

           ~ Kiki Dee

  
the lady
is not young
she sits on a stool to sing
head thrown back
eyes closed
cords in her neck
stretched tight
long
mean history on her face
her voice is pure grit
the lady knows the blues she sings

dangling black earrings
speak of nights spent
surrounded by flowers
champagne
stage door Johnnys
begging for a smile
mornings of black coffee
and regret

   my Mama loved this song she says
tendrils of old pain
twine around her legs
she sings
   there ain’t no easy way
   to learn how to fly

when it seems
she can get no lower
she raises her head
points her finger and
wails
   girl
   I mean I feel
   just like sugar on the floor

there is empty silence
then thunderous applause  
Miss Etta simply picks up her black jacket
and leaves the stage

© Copyright 2006 Kate - All Rights Reserved
ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
1 posted 2006-04-30 10:33 PM


Oh WOW, the blues in finery.
So cool!
TD

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
2 posted 2006-04-30 10:36 PM




Thank you TD.

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

3 posted 2006-04-30 10:49 PM


This is quite wonderful. It seems we are on the same theme tonight Madame!!
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
4 posted 2006-04-30 10:51 PM




Thank you Page. Must be a bluesy night.

StevenS
Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)
5 posted 2006-04-30 10:55 PM


I seen a lady much like this singing in Key West one hot summer night a life time ago! Thanks to you her memory is still as hot as that night was! She was born to sing the blues as sweet as sugar on the floor! Awesome Lady! :-)
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2006-04-30 11:00 PM



Etta is smiling...

and I know another lady who will appreciate
this one very much.  You, I am sure, will
not mind at all if I pass it forward.



I'm liking your work a LOT!


The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
7 posted 2006-04-30 11:01 PM




Thank you Steve. I truly appreciate your response and I'm glad I brought you a good memory.

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
8 posted 2006-04-30 11:05 PM


Lady
You said it like it had to be said. Enjoyed

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
9 posted 2006-04-30 11:05 PM




Please, feel free to pass it on Sunshine. I saw Etta on Austin City Limits last night and could not get her off my mind. She can still sing the blues.

Thank you so much for your response.

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
10 posted 2006-04-30 11:07 PM




Thank you very much Sir Sy. I value your reponse.

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

11 posted 2006-05-01 12:48 PM


She will be at the New Orleans Jazzfest.

sigh

More than likely? I will not though.

I ran into her once tho, and The Lady does sing the blues.

much enjoyed.

BROTHER JOHN
Member
since 2006-04-06
Posts 386

12 posted 2006-05-01 01:17 AM


Dear Lady,

Your poem was not only sugar on the floor, but in our hearts.  Thanks


OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
13 posted 2006-05-01 01:29 AM


Oooh!  I heard her voice reverberating through every cell of my body and saw her sitting on her stool.  My favourite notes were those very low, growly ones.  By the way, I have never heard of, nor heard Etta, until your poem breathed life into her for me.  Thank you for another Kate delight.

- Owl


Klassy Lassy
Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187
Oregon
14 posted 2006-05-01 03:58 AM


This gave me chills reading it!  I can feel those blues to the depths... There is something about old faces and makeup and a voice full of grit.  And I love the title...as if all that is sweet just falls away like old tears.  But there is a strength that survives and still holds it's head up!  

~ Karen

Debo
Member
since 2006-04-18
Posts 321
Texas U.S.A.
15 posted 2006-05-01 04:05 AM


Oh yes that lady can whale those blues
What a soulful night it is just like that sugar on the floor.

Debo

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
16 posted 2006-05-01 02:32 PM


I watched her for the first time this weekend.

  

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
17 posted 2006-05-01 04:39 PM


Oh, that lady can shore sing dem blues! ~ and pip's Lady can sure can write them!

Hugs with love,
EA
Flowers

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
18 posted 2006-05-01 04:48 PM




Oh serenity!  I would love to see her in New Orleans. And you ran into her? Thank you for your kind reply.

Thank you BROTHER JOHN. You’re so sweet.

Diana, I always wonder if you will know the person I’m writing about but in the end, it doesn’t matter. You saw her perfectly. Etta “Miss Peaches” James was a child gospel prodigy and joined a singing group at 14. She has thrilled and delighted us for about 55 years now. Thank you for your delightful response.

Oh Karen… “all that is sweet just falls away like old tears”… you really got it! Thank you!

It does seem to be a soulful night Debo. Thank you.

I hoped you enjoyed her Susan.

Thank you so much EA!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
19 posted 2006-05-01 05:05 PM


WOW!!  Yes she sure can sing the blues like no other.
A great tribute here...love your writing.
Hugs~Nancy

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

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
20 posted 2006-05-01 05:52 PM


I read this one this morning...couldn't come up with a comment to leave...what can I say but this is beautiful?
The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
21 posted 2006-05-01 05:55 PM




Thank you so much Nancy.
Hugs to you.

That's a wonderful thing to say passing shadows. Thank you.

Mr»ÄlleÿÇät
Member
since 2001-06-02
Posts 190

22 posted 2006-05-01 07:09 PM


Brings back another night of soul.
Thank you Lady

Goldenrose
Member Elite
since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665

23 posted 2006-05-01 07:18 PM


Well this is SO perfectly observed...like words for a movie still to be made....the kind where the author wins an Oscar..well done...i am really enjoying reading your fine descriptions...thank you very much..

Goldenrose.

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
24 posted 2006-05-02 12:56 PM




Thank you Mr»ÄlleÿÇät. I'm glad it brought back memories.

Goldenrose, you didn't say if it won an Oscar but I am accepting one from you. I will be back after I write my speech. Thank you for your kind words.

FNG
Member
since 2006-02-07
Posts 477

25 posted 2006-05-05 06:16 AM


I feel so drawn into the picture that you have painted...oh it's more like a movie. So alive and a bit amusing

Greatly Enjoyed.

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

26 posted 2006-05-05 06:52 AM


this was awesome!  I'm so glad this was at the top this morning and my first read...so powerfully dead on honest, gave me chills...

profound write!!!!

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
27 posted 2006-05-05 11:43 PM




I’m glad you enjoyed it FNG. Thank you for your lovely response.

Thank you for your kind words LeeJ. I appreciate your response.

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