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Open Poetry #43
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Biology 101
| Open Poetry #43 |
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Biology 101 |
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Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! 
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I sit, one leg curled under me, listening to the fan speak of nothing, as I pluck at the threads of my worn jeans. My favorite jeans, actually, the ones I was wearing when I crashed my mountain bike over the railroad tracks. I didn’t know that veering into traffic was the smart thing to do until I flew over the bike as it somersaulted me off. The hole of my jeans frames the worn scar. I tell people that the hole is from the time that a bear tried to bite me when I was camping off Salchakett Slough in the fall when bears were plentiful and beavers chased sticks upstream of Clear Creek. The yellow leaves of the birch trees leaped off the branches before my eyes and carpeted the creek’s currents until trapped in eddies and by branches, hypnotically, sweeping the water. I remember sitting on a log by the too smoky camp fire, blue enamel coffee pot, hanging from its metal tripod home, over the smoldering logs, as I tried to study biology. I thought if I studied while camping I might learn more. I didn’t. There were too many distractions. I watched the ravens fly home to roost in the evening. They came from all directions, calling and laughing and gossiping about where the best food was to be found. I thought about their roosting trees and wondered if all the sparkly doo-dads that they find throughout the days, weeks, years are hidden within the bark and roots. I wanted to go see, but darkness washed away the light and the creek kept on flirting with the river grasses. The coffee was too dark to drink and shadows grew larger than the moon while the silence of the night sounded much like a fan whispering to no one incessantly. - Alison [This message has been edited by Alison (11-13-2008 12:42 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2008 Alison - All Rights Reserved | |||
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amusemi Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262A State of Disarray |
Spectacular imagry. Great job. I could almost smell the fire. |
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Juju Member Elite
since 2003-12-29
Posts 3429In your dreams |
Lovely as always -Juju |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo dear Alison, I really got a kick out of this one. It made me laugh. I can't remember when the last time I was bit by a bear was. Bobby |
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americangothic Junior Member
since 2008-11-11
Posts 45 |
all those memories brought about by one frayed pair of jeans? That is great...how so much memory cant be brought about by something so simple...I really enjoyed this |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I think you did learn more while camping, Alison, maybe not biology but... Sure made a nice poem. Ida |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
amusemi, Thank you for peering into my world. The coffee is bitter and the fires are smoky. Alison - Juju dahlink, Thank you. Alison - Bobby, I am really glad that you laughed. Gotta watch out for those bears - one thing good about 'em is, given the opportunity, they can clean house on the hypocrites! Love, Alison - americangothic, I am sure enjoying your poetry. Thanks for reading mine and replying to it. Yep, I get lots of mileage out of the pictures in my head and the scars on my knees. Alison - Ida, Thank you. It all started with the white noise of the fan -- and it went from there. Hugs, Alison |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
oh what a story that was my Ali-girl... I could almost feel myself there camping with you .. just one small thing though.. I don't do camping or kitchens.. but I'm sure if I did I would love being there and sharing the experience with you  love and hugs RDB xxBe kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
I can imagine you in jeans, kinda |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
You can sure write Alison. |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
I love this one. The jeans, the scars, and the scenery captivated me. And the way you came full circle with the fan, that was professional-grade, girl. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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sewasham Senior Member
since 2006-09-11
Posts 714Oklahoma, USA |
Good stuff Ali. Sometimes the silence is so loud it's deafening. Enjoyed all of the visuals this brought to mind. Take care and Have fun. Steve |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Well, that was the first time I have been camping in Alaska, and what a pleasure it was! My eyes are smarting a little from the fire that was too smoky, but I do love the smell of it. I can still taste the bitter coffee that I had to drink in little sips, but somehow I rather enjoyed it - it made the occasion very special and all the more memorable. And it was great fun sitting at the fire with such a good friend and lovely to have the opportunity to chat about so many things, though I do feel awfully guilty about disturbing your studying with my Tu-whitting and tu-whooing. Sorry. - Owl |
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poddarku Senior Member
since 2008-01-15
Posts 589india |
of my jeans frames the worn scar. I tell people that the hole is from the time that a bear tried to bite me Everything written here is done with a flare and fineness. A very important writing. clever talks delay friendship! |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Dear Alison, if there is a way to keep the bears at a safe distance I would love camping with you to hear the sounds of nature. Just wonderful. Love, Margherita |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
Dear Alison you painted a beautiful picture in words, I almost felt as if I was there with you. As the years slip away you will remember things that you learnt that you didn't realize at the time that you were learning. I hope that doesn't sound to complicating but reminiscing and hindsight are a wonderful attribute to have. I enjoyed your story. Love Lindsay |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
RDB, With some good blackberry brandy, you would just love camping Ali-style! As far as the kitchen stuff, I am training them young now to take over. Love, Ali-girl - Laughs at Stranger Danger! Gee, I guess you are 'seeing' me in a dress? Not me. Nevah! A - Oklahoma Rose, Thank you - so can you, darlin'. I have been reading more than responding and have you on my list to go respond to tonight. xoxoxoxo A - Nan (Pilgram type ~ grins) Thank you. I love it when you are around on these pages. You never fail to make me feel good. Thank you. Alison - Steve, Thank you. I am such a fan of your poetry and love that you stopped to read mine. Alison - Diana, Thanks for camping with me. It was smoky, but it helped keep the mosquitoes away. We'll do it again soon, okay? You are a beautiful soul and I love sharing my home with you. xoxoxo Alison - Ku, Thank you so much. And thank you for the email and understanding. I really appreciate that you are a reader of my poetry. Alison - Margherita, Bears really avoid people. If a campsite is clean - they won't normally come in it. The bears up here are pretty unagressive unless they are in the urban areas. So, we can have a camping slumber party with you, Diana and Roenice and me. xoxoxo Alison - Thank you, sweet vandana. - Lindsay, I so look forward to your comments and poetry. You teach me a lot - and you are a kind and wonderful man. Hugs and kisses, Alison |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Yippeee! An Alaskan slumber camping party with you and Roniece and Margherita! May I sleep right at the door of the tent, so I don't miss seeing the bears, in case they don't come too near (and especially if they do)? I am sure that would suit Margherita too! Smiles. - Owl |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
Alison this is a picture book in the making~~ M |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I forgot to tell you that I crashed my mountain bike over the railroad tracks also on a bike trail a few years ago and lay there hearing all the night noises of the animals wondering if they would come after me. We had a very warm Feb day and I forgot the sun goes down early and I could barely see coming back from a 20 mile ride. M |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
hmmm..... slumber party with BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my... I'm not sure Diana, I would be in that tent then!! LOL!!!! BEARS and me don't quite know how to take each other my lovely!! and yes, it would definitely be ME that would be running scared!! lol but then again... my lovely Ali-girl would be there to speak nicely to those BEARS and tell them that people from down under don't do BEARS along with camping and kitchens! lol ok, ok, I think I have the BEAR thing off my chest! xxx RDB xxx Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Hey, Roniece! I speak Bear too, and very well too, I was told by my teddy before he was stolen by a burglar. I am not sure if I have the Alaskan bear accent quite right though, but the thing about Alaskan bears is that, like Alison, they are very tolerant of foreigners's accents, especially if they (the foreigners) are at least trying to speak Bear! Ask Alison - I am sure she will confirm what I am saying. - Owl |
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