Open Poetry #43 |
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I Remember |
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WTBAKELAR![]()
since 2008-09-09
Posts 1089Utah, USA ![]() |
I Remember: I remember playing in the root cellar with my older brother, And sleeping head to toe, two in the bed. Lightning going through the window of our bedroom, I was two. I remember sliding down the carpeted stairs of my Aunts home, And my uncles vibrating easy chair we would all take turns sitting in, The baby sitters mean kids putting me in the clothes-ironing machine. I was three. I remember moving to a new house and mom painting it all night, And running a hose to the neighbor’s house so we could get water. We lived on a corner and the rocks would build up in the turn. I was four. I remember when the black and white T V said the president has been shot, And my mother cried. I didn’t know why but I cried too. My step dad shaved my head and gave me a ride on his Harley Davidson. I was five. I remember playing like I was driving the old International pick-up and shifting gears And it rolling into the fence, I ran away and waited to get in trouble. Going to school for the first time. Mrs. Barnhurst. She was old. I was six. I remember when the summers were long and the winters were longer. And mom baking cookies and bread. And washing clothes in the wringer washer. I put my hand into the wringer and burned up the belt. Flattened my hand. I was seven. I remember moving to a brand new house with an acre of land, in the country. And building roads in the two-foot tall weeds for my Tonka trucks. Life was great. We had horses and dogs and I got a new Stingray bike. I was cool and I was eight. I remember the night that my mom got a phone call, and she cried. And people came and got her and she was gone for a real long time. I was awake all night, waiting. My father had been killed in a car accident. I was nine. I am told that I became a problem after that. That I was totally different And I hated my mom and would not have anything to do with people. This lasted for quite some time, I am told. I really don’t remember being ten. Wm. Tracey Bakelar 2008 |
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© Copyright 2008 Wm. Tracey Bakelar - All Rights Reserved | |||
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing...I remember my grandma getting her hand caught in the wringer...dryers are safer...James |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
William, These are nice, stock, middle class remembrances that many people can relate to. There’s nothing wrong with that. Bobby |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
wow. Fantastic poem, it caught me at the beginning and never let me go. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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WTBAKELAR![]()
since 2008-09-09
Posts 1089Utah, USA |
Thank you so much for letting me share my memories. It's funny what you remember when you start to think back. I hope you enjoy my other work. Sincerly, Tracey |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I remember too, Tracey, all of these things. Thanks for reminding me. Ida |
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suthern![]() ![]()
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Prowling in the archives is the PIP version of a treasure hunt... This touched me on so many levels and awakened many memories (including flattened hands... ouch! *S*) The details are astounding... I can just see the rocks piling up. You tug our lips upward and tug our heartstrings... and send our thoughts tumbling through the years. Beautiful work! |
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