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Open Poetry #12
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Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704


0 posted 2001-02-12 03:03 AM


For those of you who don't know I am visiting Tennessee for a short time and there are just some impressions I have garnered

Maple Syrup

It carries flavour of sticky
childhood, of demands for more -
I see them, forming accents,
American-eyed babies, understanding home.
For me, it surprises
the tongue, this foreign thing.

Lifeway

People here
   are slower than at home
      their lives
         jolt like slow basketballs
            rolling along the slopes
               ending in the security of
                  family plots

Train-song

                I'm almost compelled
               to find a home
              beside any tracks
             and sway in the rush
            of train-song
             imagining fields of wheat
              green trees shuddered by passage
               cows scattered in man-made thunder
                the music of journey

River

The Tennessee river
is weighted under
the city it rides through
sluggishly it measures the
distance of escape
to the sea and thinks
'Why hurry?'

K.M 20001




- it was not an
unmusical sound: long, falling, half a sigh,
like wind in the wires, or a train distancing.

The Muse of Distance, A. Williamson


[This message has been edited by Severn (edited 02-12-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Kamla Mahony - All Rights Reserved
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

1 posted 2001-02-12 03:20 AM


Thanks for the postcard K....I love the look through the newling's eyes...smiles.

but just one little itty bitty thing? I really think the addition of a few ellipses would have added...drama...to...the slowness of the ...Tennessee river...    I happen to have a few extra, perchance that you have run out!  ROFL...Love ya much Oh K of the Lovely Voice!!!!  

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
2 posted 2001-02-12 04:16 AM


There never is a hurry for those who know how to enjoy the scenery, Kamla.  Looks like you do.     Nice imagery, here.

Michael

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
3 posted 2001-02-12 04:27 AM


Kamla~
Glad to know you are finding your visit to Tennessee
to be full of poetic adventure.

Enjoyed the Chamber Of Commerce read, dear.
~*Marge*~




~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

4 posted 2001-02-12 04:30 AM


                I'm almost compelled
               to find a home
              beside any tracks
             and sway in the rush
            of train-song
             imagining fields of wheat
              green trees shuddered by passage
               cows scattered in mad-made thunder
                the music of journey
=================

have the lovely people in Tennesse ever seen an NZ butterfly slipper before  
very cool write Kam ...
you presented it so that the reader felt the laid back country pace...
excellent use of metaphor and imagery
you must try the southern fried chicken and sweet tea  
nectar of the gods ya know *L*



Where the touch of the lover ends
And the soul of the friend begins
There's a need to be separate and a need to be one
And a struggle neither wins


[This message has been edited by Janet Marie (edited 02-12-2001).]

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

5 posted 2001-02-12 09:26 AM


Heh...Karen you evil woman...

Really...that is MOST...MOST...MOST...unfair...

Perhaps...I...will...just...start...talking...like...this...

????

Or will that just drive ya nuts lovey? And you're welcome on the postcard - which reminds me to start writing them - I have them all ADDRESSED - really, and they are just sitting on the table - unwritten in...you know what I am like at writing - there are several people back home probably ready to kill me by now heh...

love ya hon

Michael - the scenery truly is like nothing I have seen...everything really IS different...even if only in tiny ways sometimes. And I just can't stop gawking at everything! LOL...thanks for stopping in, hugs.

Marge(y) - ever nice to hear your voice.   Well, adventure is right...even when it is quiet it is one. Thankye...

FBS (rem what that means?   ) - Well, you know what - they haven't AND people either think I'm from South Africa lol OR can't understand a word I am saying heheheh. AS for sweet tea - I am drinking it now BUT with milk and sugar of course in the old English tradition...thanks hon - glad you felt the pace as that was the intent..

K

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
6 posted 2001-02-12 10:05 AM


I never knew maple syrup could be so beautifully described!! This is great!! I'm going to bookmark it.  
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
7 posted 2001-02-12 10:54 AM


Oh, I can see the new poetry travel guide now...the title.."Travels with Kamla"...wonderful!!
Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
8 posted 2001-02-12 12:43 PM


really wonderful K. . . nice to have you here. . .  

these are just excellent in their descriptions and views. . . you see things wonderfully. . . and I'm with Martie, when's the "Travelogue" coming out???



-----------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Jamie
Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168
Blue Heaven
9 posted 2001-02-12 07:50 PM


and fuzzy looking trees.................................

Jamie

Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. - Virgil.
"Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely".


Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

10 posted 2001-02-13 01:09 AM


Sharon - you are? Wow...thankyou...I wrote these at some ungodly hour of the morning...not really thinking about them - just finding the first words that came to mind...I'm glad you approve.


Martie - you know I'd have to entitle it 'Travels with Kamla's soul' sigh...thankyou dear.

Sven - well thankyou...seeing things wonderfully in this case only comes from a new perspective perhaps? I'm so happy you enjoyed...

J - and funny road signs that are too dramatic...

K


...and I have found that a lifetime can be lived in one moment...

T.G.M.

Robert Joseph
Member
since 2000-10-07
Posts 491
South Carolina
11 posted 2001-02-13 03:56 PM



K, your ''southern'' is spoken so well, your train-song finds harmony in my soul.
As always, a pleasure to read you.

Robert Joseph


[This message has been edited by Robert Joseph (edited 02-13-2001).]

Poeminister
Senior Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 1862
Regina SK; Canada
12 posted 2001-02-13 04:06 PM


Severn--Lovely flow, and descriptions. Enjoyed muchly.

Poeminister

"At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet."
-Plato





[This message has been edited by Poeminister (edited 02-13-2001).]

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
13 posted 2001-02-13 04:08 PM


I like all your impressions. Hope you're enjoying your visit! *S*
JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
14 posted 2001-02-13 04:27 PM


I know a lovely woman that writes travel guides...your travel writes are poetic...James
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

15 posted 2001-02-13 04:48 PM


RJ - I'm grateful...thankyou - and I think Train-song is my favourite also.

Poe - why thankyou...glad you enjoyed! Flow is always my goal so yay bounce that it was achieved.

Suthern - thanks hon...I am indeed - it's been an interesting time so far...

James - thankyou...that was the intent - I haven't written anything quite like these before...so I'm happy they seem to have served their purpose..

K



...and I have found that a lifetime can be lived in one moment...

T.G.M.

Jamie
Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168
Blue Heaven
16 posted 2001-02-13 07:11 PM


as I recall I agreed that "give way" was better....

Jamie

Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. - Virgil.
"Yield thou not to adversity, but press on the more bravely".


Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

17 posted 2001-02-13 07:15 PM


Yes I do believe you did...

because I am always right, right?

Right - which is the wrong side of the road to drive on.

heh

K


...and I have found that a lifetime can be lived in one moment...

T.G.M.

Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
18 posted 2001-02-13 07:38 PM


Kamla,

This only goes to show the truth of one of the beliefs I've held since childhood -- you have not lived until you have tasted maple syrup, especially slathered over a big steaming stack of buttery hotcakes (drooling, here -- LOL).

For your next southern-US treat, try buttermilk biscuits dipped in a dark-corn-syrup-and-melted-butter mixture ... simply DE-vine (apologies, Sharon, but I had to emphasize the "de" for the accent *g*).

Hope you're enjoying TN ... though I think you should stop by CA before you scoot off home *wink*.

Loved the poem ... reminded me of all the 'good' things about home.

Linda


Remember: maintaining a positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will certainly annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

jellybeans
Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298

19 posted 2001-02-14 02:15 PM


hmmmmmmmmm nice to see a few things that I drive right by without looking at, brought to light by a visitor's eyes
Jamie
Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168
Blue Heaven
20 posted 2001-07-28 11:54 PM


I "yield"

There is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar.
byron

Jamie
Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168
Blue Heaven
21 posted 2003-06-18 07:50 PM


J
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