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Open Poetry #4
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The Bible Salesman
| Open Poetry #4 |
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The Bible Salesman |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California 
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The Bible Salesman One summer day, so hot and humid she, with windows open fans going was standing at the window letting the air blow an ice cube up and down her arms around her neck, eyes closed. Thinking a man to run his finger up her arm like this ice cube, making goose bumps as a knock on the door made her jump, feeling guilty somehow for her thoughts. On the porch a man looking with a grin at her feelings, she thought, selling Bibles he said. She watched his face, not listening, the way his lips moved the straight line of his teeth, the crease that appeared, then disappeared from the corner of his eye. She had wished for a man and this one had appeared. He told her about college and selling Bibles door to door to support himself to help his family. He told her about his 3 young sisters and one brother, how his mom was sick his dad having trouble. She bought a Bible, of course. She bought a Bible, even though she already had one. How could she not buy a Bible from this man? It would be almost sacrilegious. She would have bought anything from him. Usually, words flowed from her like music from an early morning song bird. How to make him stay, after the Bible was in her hand and the dull day was threatening return. The ice melted slowly in her hand making a wet spot on the bodice of her dress as she clutched it to her bosom. She had thought of the heat and this man trudging with his sacred suitcase full of the Word, and the ice slowly melting on her chances. He had stayed drinking ice tea as shadows fell on the day and the afternoon breeze curled the pages of the Bible. that lay on the table between them. |
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| © Copyright 1999 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Oh, Martie! I don't have the right words for this one. It is exquisite! I could feel this poem, see it happen in front of my eyes and feel the emotions of both of them. Beautifully done. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Marie...what a wonderful demonstration of free verse at it's best. This flowed very smoothly, the imagery was great, and as Balladeer stated, this is truly exquisite. Bravo my friend...now take a well deserving bow  |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
This is too good to slip away. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Balladeer, you are a deer. Thank you so much for replying twice to this poem and Hoot, thanks for your comments too. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Yes, Martie this is excellent! I had a picture painted in my mind! So smooth and flowing! I enjoyed this very much! ------------------ Denise |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Too good to slip away indeed. Fantastic. I can feel the emotional tension - give me the ice cube!!!! |
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
I felt the emotional tension! Excellent job. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
WoW! At a loss.... Elizabeth |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Denise--thank you. I'm so glad you liked it. Severn--thanks my friend. I'm afraid an icecube would melt before it got from me to you. Ohme--appreciate your comments Elizabeth--a wow from you is worth pure gold. |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
Enjoyed this read very much! Can really feel the tension and the possibilities. Loved it! ------------------ If you love me like music, I'll be your song. ~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie Shawna R. Holder Boise, Idaho |
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RSEvans Senior Member
since 1999-10-23
Posts 1147Tulsa, OK, USA |
You paint a worded tapestry...and we stand in awe. This is an exquisite piece full of poetic tension and even open to another refrain. You left me wanting more. ------------------ Once I was brilliant, now I no longer shine, but the twinkle in my eye speaks of another time. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I enjoyed this very much! |
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