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Open Poetry #4
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Sagging Tattoos
| Open Poetry #4 |
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Sagging Tattoos |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion 
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Sagging Tattoos Sweating in the Arizona sun I squinted up at Grandma She smiled, then hobbled back Into the rusty trailer where she lives alone Now that Grandpa’s gone The blacktop was melting The swamp cooler hummed Grapefruit littered the ground I went swimming In the big peoples’ pool Wearing my purple suit And matching bathing cap With yellow flowers People stared when bees Attacked my flowery head So I belly flopped into the pool Screamed and flapped my arms Water pee warm, instead of cool Rubbing chlorine from my eyes Side stroking, gliding along Looking up at my audience Three old ladies lounged Leathery brown skin Brightly colored bathing suits Cussing up a storm Mother looked up from her book, frowned One of them laughed like a witch I stared and stealthily slid by Something was on her chest Big green and blue splotches I swam over to mother Asked what they were She hushed me, called me rude Then explained in a whisper They were tattoos I nodded knowingly That’s what sailors got When they get drunk But I’d never seen one for real Staring, even more curious She looked right at me I struggled out of the deep end But mother was gone Covering myself with a towel I sat on a lounge chair And pretended not to watch As she walked to a grapefruit tree Choosing carefully Plucked two then stood over me, Her shadow blocked the sun I faked sleep She said: “Hey kid!” Opened my eyes, just to peek She tossed me a grapefruit Then sat beside me She said she was a rebel in her day Pointed to her tattoos, one by one This one of her husband The second, of a rose The third one was once a dragon But now that she was old It was a tattoo sagging! She helped me peel my grapefruit She said she had no regrets Mom rushed in, ushered me away But the lady had already said How to live best © 1999 Corinne Bailey |
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| © Copyright 1999 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is great, Corinne! Wonderful story and message!  ------------------ Denise |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Thank you, Denise! Corinne |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
good imagery |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Smiling here... fine effort. |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
Great story Corinne....really enjoyed this piece! ------------------ A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire! |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
I expect my tattoos will be sagging in a few more years as well although I must confess that I do regret ever getting any of them except one. Good poem and gave me food for thought. ------------------ If you love me like music, I'll be your song. ~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie Shawna R. Holder Boise, Idaho |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Thank you, Hoot Owl, Pepper, Mike and Wild Child! Tried to write this from the eyes of a wise-assed 11 year old, since that's probably what I am inside anyway! Corinne |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
You did a great job with the picture you painted. I could see that eleven year old for sure. Great poetic story! [This message has been edited by Martie (edited 11-26-1999).] |
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