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Open Poetry #39
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The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest

0 posted 2006-10-23 12:39 PM



suffering a birthday  
one more without him  

betty got off the atlanta plane  
crying nana
oh my nana

woman now  
3 times 7  
beams of a child  
still playing in her eyes
taller than I am

does she remember
sitting on her granddaddy’s knee
his soft voice
entreating
    give granddaddy some of that sugah
    you got on your face baby

or has she moved on
past the place of his wisdom
his teasing
    girl
    get you some lard
    ya elbows are ashy
  
in the quiet of that birthday night    
slender fingers  
lay out gifts  
pecan passion lotion
2 bottles
12 ounces each
    granddaddy always said
    you smelled like a praline nana
    made him want to eat you up
    he can still smell you
    you know
  
length of african cloth    
a yard    
by a foot  
elegant orange brown    
    to wrap your nappy head nana    
    don’t worry  
    I know  
    granddaddy always said    
    a woman’s hair is her crowning glory    

my throat swells
I duck my head
this then is her gift

memories

    but it’s so  
    fashionable to wrap nana

her hands weave around my head
pulling my hair
without mercy
wrapping me
wrapping her granddaddy

   ‘sides granddaddy won’t really mind
   long as you don’t wear it
   to meet him
   in heaven

© Copyright 2006 Kate - All Rights Reserved
Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
1 posted 2006-10-23 07:16 AM


lady one, enjoyed this slice ms
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
2 posted 2006-10-23 07:34 AM


lard helps ashy elbows huh?

LOL

awesome write!

seraphin
Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1004
Michigan
3 posted 2006-10-23 04:05 PM


This will remain one of my favorites as due its beauty and sensitivity. That is, a favorite until once again you take pen in hand.

Sandra

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
4 posted 2006-10-23 04:21 PM




thank you Stranger
I appreciate your reply

lard does fix ‘em Dixie  
but lotion smells so much better
lol  
thank you so much


thank you Sandra
my friend
this one has such meaning for me
it’s an indulgence...


Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
5 posted 2006-10-23 07:16 PM


This one is certainly to be treasured.  I
doubt I have read a poem with such meaning
within it,  such a vivid and visual story.

Thanx for the lard tip

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
6 posted 2006-10-23 08:40 PM


Lady

"my throat swells
I duck my head
this then is her gift"

It is your gift also!  

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
7 posted 2006-10-24 12:45 PM




thank you for your kind reply Barry
you’re welcome for the lard tip  
you need head wrap tips?  
smile


thank you so much
dear Martie…
for understanding


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