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Open Poetry #38
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Sunshine
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2006-07-29 08:56 PM



From the Soddy Journal – 1886 – The Long Heat

Soon, you will come in, dust streaked,
sweaty, tired and hungry, for
the meal that will be simple ~
fried chicken, baked yam,
fresh bread,
and from last year, when
weather was good, a jar of
canned sweet peaches, if only for
the liquid syrup that will
sweeten this harsh day.

My lips go to your neck, to say a private
hello, your dusty salt taste and pumping
veins telling me you spent moments too long
walking out your frustrations.

I know it has been too long,
since April, or was it the first of May?
when rain last fell.  Then, too quickly,
temperatures grew, higher, longer than
in years past; creeks and ponds
went muddy to dust…

but we both thank God
that there is still a well.  
I never hear your lips question
how long the drought will last.
I do hear a silent prayer
in the tired beat of your heart.

You fear this drought, wondering if it will
tear us apart; but I only see it
in the lines of your brown face; in the
tired slump of your shoulders after a tearing day
locating dead cattle, crunching through ruined crops.
You fear that you are failing me;
yet we realize our inner humbleness
every night
when we hold hands to kneel
and give thanks
for this day.

For standing together through it all.

quote:
From the files of the Aviation Weather Center,
Kansas City, MO and Intellicast

1886...Rain fell at Lawrence, KS for the first time
in four weeks. Rain fell over much of the state of
Kansas that day relieving a severe drought that began in May.
The very dry weather ruined crops in Kansas.



© Copyright 2006 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved
Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
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Gaia
1 posted 2006-07-30 11:26 PM


a photo to remember
parched throats, maybe
but not parched hearts

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
2 posted 2006-07-30 11:34 PM




Exquisite but painful
picture, Karilea. I love
these poems.


Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

3 posted 2006-07-31 04:47 PM


Every poem of yours tells a story...quite vividly.

Eric

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2006-07-31 11:13 PM


Sissie...you know how I love your Soddy journal...such a pleasure to read!!
Interloper
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369
Deep in the heart
5 posted 2006-08-02 10:45 AM


You are the Michaelangelo of the Soddy Journal!
Your words adorn the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel of my mind!
When reading these I am tranported to that very place in time of which you write!
Okay, okay, but you get my point ... you ARE good!
VERY GOOD!

Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write.

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

6 posted 2006-08-02 11:08 AM


whew, filled with a modern writers images, all dressed up with many place to take the reader...wonderfully penned.
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
7 posted 2006-08-02 01:49 PM


An excellent read on a steamy day like today
with temps reaching 100...
I LOVE the Soddy Journal..and you know it!!
Hugs~Nancy

artexeres
Member
since 2006-08-01
Posts 156
south africa
8 posted 2006-08-02 02:24 PM


what love can be stronger than the love, that started with two people in duallity and through time and experience, forges into that singular unified love. thank you for a pleasant read.
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