Summer '65 ... Elderberry Time ... Part One

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Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2001-06-02 07:50 PM

Summer ’65 ~ Elderberry Time ~ Part One

On the way to a summer of young girls, delivery of one
you espied them growing green, knowing sun
and wind and cool mountainous nights would bring
a return of two after my summer fling
at camp

you said nothing, until the return, then said,
“Sissie and I will come back to get them, in oh,
one week or so” and you and I then planned
our plans for gathering
elderberries

boxes and crates, burlap sacks and rope, a tall
ladder, you and I in the truck, a California day, back
we went, you whistling “You are my Sunshine”, I
listening to the silence of your thoughts
connecting

you didn’t tell me not to wear shorts while you,
in your daily uniform of long coveralls and boots
[I would unlace them come evening, tease your
stinky feet, rub away stresses of the day as only
daughters can]

so I am earthbound, ignoring mightily the buzz of
giant ‘skeeters, holding this ladder so careful, careful,
you doing all the work clipping, bagging, up and
down the ladder, load after load of purple
elderberries

grown high there along California hill’s side, clip clip
clip “get me another bag, but don’t let go of the ladder”
you teasing me so, asking if the snakes were watching
and I only hoped you were really
teasing

we worked that warm weekday of July away, you recapturing
some flash of your past in elderberry memories
creating for me a recollection that still lasts…
still feeling even now the tepid of those shaded
moments

I recall two things with specificity ~ the naturalness
of our lack of conversation, knowing when
to reach, when to hold, when to get another bag,
that when you began whistling, you were somewhere
else

and the character of the elderberries, akin to miniature
grape bunches they were, dark purple, dusky
dusty with whitish mold, not mold, but this powder, non powder,
that disappeared beneath my finger’s movement
the blush removed

would the afternoon last forever it was too soon done
you secretly knowing we had gathered far too many
already hearing Mom, “what will we do with all this?”
knowing jars were being readied, neither knowing there would be
wine…

to be continued….

In memory, Dad….thank you….

Robert Howard Rilling
2 June 23 ~
2 September 88

Alan
Senior Member

since 2000-09-12

Posts 1499
right next door

1 posted 2001-06-02 08:07 PM

this sounds more like fun than work. Wonderful read

latin passion
Senior Member

since 2001-04-26

Posts 576

2 posted 2001-06-02 08:11 PM

an awesome, rememberance piece. Waiting for part 2.

Life is to short to not appreciate all of nature's gifts. As I sit & ponder in awe - quietly.

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

3 posted 2001-06-02 09:00 PM

Karilea~
Tender memories, sweetie.
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
[email protected]

catalinamoon

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-03

Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone

4 posted 2001-06-02 10:46 PM

Oh, this is so wonderful, how lovely to share these moments with a parent, and be able to write so perfectly of them later.
Sandra

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

5 posted 2001-06-03 02:42 AM

I did not have these memories, so I will just tag along on yours if it is okay? Sounds so wonderful to have a Father you liked, I am enjoying this one Sunny one.

~*~ Remember to tell someone today that you love them ~*~

Interloper

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-06

Posts 8369
Deep in the heart

6 posted 2001-06-03 10:37 AM

Wonderful memory and tribute.

Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. Philip Sidney (1554-1586) Loving in Truth

Auguste

Member Elite

since 2000-02-16

Posts 3953
By the sea

7 posted 2001-06-03 06:23 PM

Karilea,

I truly find myself speechless. I am in awe of your gift.

Michael

Proust-
"Love is space and time measured by the heart"

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

8 posted 2001-06-03 06:51 PM

making the tears come again.....connecting to this on so many levels.....thank you for this....I see the part two is up...I'm off to cry again.........

Marsha

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-07-10

Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England

9 posted 2001-06-03 07:26 PM

Kari dear heart, this the start is awash with love and memories, absolutely perfect love, so full of your families warmth, I can even feel the heat of the summer afternoon. Wonderful writing of course dear heart, from you there's never anything less than perfection.

Oh I do love this Kari, please dear heart tell me more. Absolutely fabulous, are there anymore? Please say yes you do a series better than anyone
take care
love as ever
Puck

Take back the hope you gave,- I claim
Only a memory of the same
Robert Browning

Watersign6
Senior Member

since 2001-05-25

Posts 823
Hurricane,WV

10 posted 2001-06-03 08:39 PM

i am enjoying your memory here

deepblue
Junior Member

since 2001-05-31

Posts 17

11 posted 2001-06-03 11:30 PM

wonderful, brings back my own memories of times spent with my mother, and rubbing her feet after a long day.

Saunni
Senior Member

since 2000-07-11

Posts 1777
West Virginia

12 posted 2001-06-04 12:37 PM

Oh, this is wonderful! What a great memory! Enjoyed this

Sauni

Sauni :)
Have you ever known the color grey when the nighttime finds you weak
I have, I've walked that road each time; that's where my angel sleeps

Sundown
Junior Member

since 2001-06-04

Posts 16
does it really matter?

13 posted 2001-06-04 12:56 PM

wow... I love this.. such great imagery...

"She's been looking like a queen in a sailor's dream, and she don't always say what she really means"

Auguste

Member Elite

since 2000-02-16

Posts 3953
By the sea

14 posted 2001-06-04 04:13 AM

I know that I tend to send poems up for a second read, not only yours, but others. Some, I find so instructive, a way for us as writers to improve on our own meager efforts. This is one of those. We all want to grow, certainly. In order to do so we must read as much as possible to expand our horizons. Still, we must write about what we know and and not "reach." You have definitely not reached here. Thank you so very much for helping all of us.

Michael

Proust-
"Love is space and time measured by the heart"

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

15 posted 2001-06-04 04:50 AM

Those beautiful reflections flowing once again Karilea! Fabulous images of youth.... and did you ever get to sample the wine?

Love
Junior Member

since 2001-06-04

Posts 15
All Places Always

16 posted 2001-06-04 05:19 AM

Your words shoe you need
very little reminding
aside from remebering
what freedom means

in heart,, mind,, and soul--
you shall find
in your giving you, well
you are rarely surpassed

Treat yourself the same

Love

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