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Open Poetry #47
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A Stitch in Time
| Open Poetry #47 |
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A Stitch in Time |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Umatilla winters grew apple cheeks in the desert, painted Horse Heaven HIlls in terra strata strokes, whistled against ancient cliffs and sage brushed hills in wild wind arias where querulous gulls banked in gray-fringed hedonism over the Columbia Gorge. I winked in a sunlight squint at the visored windshields of cars lining the ferry, their white sidewall tires and rounded fenders chained like bracelet charms inside the quick-silver deck railing, but Mama, Brother, and I were pedestrian. Kibitzing with the Studebaker driver, a gaunt man folded bills into a dingy jacket with pickpocket hands, then strode onto the tug. He had no time for flaxen haired little girls pretty in plaid, a coat and hat that Mama had sewn, nor for Sunday feet in red Mary Janes with buckles. (Buster Browns laced up other days of the week.) He didn't see me tagging him, trying to span the gap between the ferry and tug the moment it pulled into the river, or the stranger who collared me, as green water churned and foamed like a mad dog frothing beneath my feet. Mama did, though. Her face ashen, she gripped me like God himself, and thanked Him for angels, strong thread, and big buttons. [This message has been edited by Klassy Lassy (05-16-2011 07:26 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2011 Klassy Lassy - All Rights Reserved | |||
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
Klassy dear, this is the most wonderful weave of words I have ever read. Your story telling is profound, the scenes so colorful and true to life. You have a keen eye for taking your readers there, as if they were standing right next to you on the "quick silver deck railing" (love that) This is stunning as the sunlight and worth every squint.  |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Wow, dear Karen, what an outstanding piece of poetry you share with us! I will have to check a few words to savor it with all its nuances. Mamas have their eyes everywhere, that last stanza is really awesome ... like God himself. Take a bow. Love, Margherita "Love is the One who masters all things; I am mastered totally by Love." (Rumi) |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Excellent poetry...so glad I came here to read this morning. To have this with my coffee was like having a crispy cream donut, without the calories. Well versed and arranged...love it |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Good morning, Blues. Thank you! This comes from a very early memory. I was a little over 3 years old. I don't know why we were crossing the river that day, and I have not been on a ferry since. Of course, there are bridges across the river now, so the ferry is history. Poor Mom. Good morning to you, Margherita. I am so glad you took time to share your thoughts...and appreciate the comment about the choice of words...not my usual fare, but hopefully worked alright. I love the feedback and suggestions and the learning.  Ice, It's my pleasure! Thank you for the visit. Krispy Creme Donuts? mmmmm! Someone else mentioned them in conjunction with reading this poem yesterday. We don't have them in my town, but The Sugar Shack Bakery is not far, and now my mouth is watering! [This message has been edited by Klassy Lassy (05-16-2011 08:53 AM).] |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Oh, Margherita, For your reference, Umatilla is the name of a small town on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. It derives from the Umatilla Indian tribe. The Columbia River is the border between Oregon and Washington states in the U.S. The cliffs and hills along the river on the Washington side are called Horse Heaven Hills because they once were roamed by wild horses, but not in my lifetime. Sadly, most of them were killed and the rest taken into captivity. It's a very windy, barren looking terrain. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
"their white sidewall tires and rounded fenders chained like bracelet charms" LAssy, you have outdone yourself. There are so many incredible descriptions in this piece of work. I can't say enough. This is really brilliant work. You should be proud of this one! |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Writing this was a surprise...the bits and pieces of a nearly forgotten experience came into focus as I wrote. Thank you for the gentle words. It means a lot to me. ~K  |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Karen...outstanding ... I was caught in the story and heart of it. |
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Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
This is among my very favorite poems ever. I love the story, the words you used, the pictures you created in my mind. May I have this to save? Please? Thank you for writing "A Stich in Time". xoxoxo Alison |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Alison, Considering the content of that memory, I'm lucky someone saved me and that I am here to write it. You warm me with your sweetness. By all means, yes... I'm delighted you want to save it!  Thank you. |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Martie, Hugs, to you, Dear Heart. Thinking of you, too...and appreciate your thoughts.  |
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Capricious Member
since 2002-09-14
Posts 89California, USA |
Exquisite. What a masterfully worded look back, through an adult's eyes, at the innocence and peril of childhood. Thank you for this gift. |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
KL...your pen is always mighty, but here it is leashless and velvet winged...yours is a better photo than the ones I took there with cam in hand. |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Capricious, you are so right. My feelings as a child held no fear, but simple exploration. However, I do seem to have a penchant for being where I should not be.  Thank you for coming to read. ~kAnd Daark, thank you, too, for looking back with me. You took pictures of that area? I know you travel. I tried to find a picture to post, but the ones I needed were copyrighted. The Columbia River has an interesting history. I found ferry boat pictures at the crossing in Biggs, but not one for where we crossed... at McNary. So I'm glad you could see it in your mind. Thank you! |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
I missed this because I am not on line here often. Excellent telling of something that will never be forgotten by you nor by any of those who have read it.Good write.jo |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Wonderfully descriptive... you had us right there with you on the ferry, gasping at the near splash! |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Jo and Suthern, I thank you for bringing this one up again and for the comments. That was my first experience with the moods of the river, but there is a fascination with the way water carries light and shadow in it's movement that remains with me to this day. |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Jo and Suthern, I thank you for bringing this one up again and for the comments. That was my first experience with the moods of the river, but there is a fascination with the way water carries light and shadow in it's movement that remains with me to this day. |
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Klassy Lassy Member Elite
since 2005-06-28
Posts 2187Oregon |
Jo and Suthern, I thank you for bringing this one up again and for the comments. That was my first experience with the moods of the river, but there is a fascination with the way water carries light and shadow in it's movement that remains with me to this day. |
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